Improved transit is key at meeting in Jamaica

The community forum, dedicated to improving bus and subway service in the area, did not draw the anticipated crowds of irate commuters, but many of those who came gave evidence that the system is letting them down.

“We can’t leave this in anyone else’s hands,” said Brodie Enoch, the public transit campaign manager for TA. “There’s something going wrong with public transit in this end of the city. We’re paying more and getting less.”

“If we don’t bond together, pretty soon we will be paying $3, $3.50 or $4 to ride a bus or train. We need to make sure there’s proper funding for public transit,” he said.

Enoch voiced concern that “at any given time, money can be taken out of public transportation. We have to shore up these transportation loopholes.”

Following introductory remarks, those in attendance formed groups to discuss issues of interest and to formulate possible solutions to particular problems. As expected, fare increases and insufficient service, particularly on the bus routes, were the most often cited areas of concern.

“No one should have more than a 45-minute commute. Anything more is considered extreme commute,” said Rockaway resident Joe Hartigan, citing the daily two-hour ride some students make from the Rockaways to Queens College.

Hartigan suggested installing cameras on buses as a measure against double-parked cars, which he says often prolong bus rides.

He also called for a crackdown on fare beaters, lamenting the frequency with which riders mount buses through the rear doors.

“If everyone paid, maybe the fare would go down,” Hartigan said.

The social media organizer for the rider rebellion, Adrian De Silva, suggested a better working relationship between the MTA and the community might lead to enhanced service. He noted that bus service in certain areas of Jamaica is irregular at best or completely lacking.

De Silva also called for fare increases only “when appropriate.”

Former council member Archie Spigner, also attended and offered perhaps the most popular if unlikely suggestion. “People ought to be able to ride free,” he said. “People have got to move. It’s good for the economy. It’s good for the system.”

Spigner also recalled a time in the past when nearly every subway station had a working public rest room.

“There’s a point in your life when you have to go to the bathroom,” he said. “We have to reach beyond the social challenges” that make it difficult to maintain clean, safe facilities along train routes.

Alluding to the Rider Rebellion slogan, “Putting the public in NYC public transit,” Enoch said, “It’s time for people to take ownership of our system.”

Representing Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), one of the sponsors of the meeting, Rance Huff said Comrie is “in full support” of the campaign.

Huff recalled that back in the late 1990’s a group of citizens from Staten Island got together to suggest transit changes, resulting in a much improved system.

“We’ll take your feedback directly back to the councilman,” he promised.

According to Enoch, 28,000 New Yorkers have already endorsed a riders’ bill of rights, a call to action that lists reliable, affordable and efficient transit and other priorities.

To sign the bill of rights or to join TA’s Rider Rebellion campaign, go to the website riderrebellion.org.