FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2018
Contact: John Lyon 845-638-5645

Statement from County Executive Day Re: Metro-North President Rinaldi's Letter to NJ Transit's Executive Director Corbett

Metro-North(MNR) is finally standing up to New Jersey Transit(NJT) for our Pascack Valley Line and West of Hudson commuters. I am extremely pleased that MNR has taken seriously our request to review its operating agreement with NJT. During our meeting on June 12th the staff of our Department of Public Transportation and I, specifically requested this agreement be reviewed and have penalties imposed for NJT's frequent train cancellations. Metro-North is now doing exactly that. I am cautiously optimistic that the proposed changes to their operating agreement will lead to improved service for our commuters.

However, these are still just words on paper. There is no substitute for a proven track record and right now that record is abysmal, I fully expect Metro-North to hold NJ Transit accountable and ensure our commuters get the level of service they pay so dearly for. To that end, I will be formally requesting that any money withheld by MNR from NJT, as part of this revised operating agreement, be used to lessen the burden on our commuters. That money should be refunded to commuters and all West of Hudson lines should be exempt from fare increases for at least the next three years.

Metro-North and NJ Transit still have a long way to go before Rockland commuters start receiving the level of service we both need to continue growing our local economy and what we deserve to make up for the $40 plus million-dollar value gap between what we pay to the MTA and what we get back in service. I pledge to continue using every tool available to hold these organizations accountable and to keep working with my colleagues from the Town, State and Federal level to get our commuters what they deserve.

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