Readers Write: Happy 60th birthday to Long Island public transportation 

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Readers Write: Happy 60th birthday to Long Island public transportation 
 Many remember late President Lyndon Johnson for succeeding President John F. Kennedy after his assassination in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963.
Many remember President Lyndon B. Johnson for his domestic Great Society Program, which included Civil Rights, Medicare, Medicaid, the War on Poverty, Public Broadcasting, and our role as a friend of Israel. There was also other foreign policy, most notably the Vietnam War.  Few remember his other landmark legislation.  This was the foundation for federal financial support of public transportation.
July, 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of federal government support for public transportation.  The success of public transportation can be traced back to one of Johnson’s greatest accomplishments, which continues benefiting many Americans today. On July 9, 1964 he signed the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 into law. Subsequently this has resulted in the investment over time of several hundred billion dollars into public transportation.
 Millions of Americans today on a daily basis utilize various public transportation alternatives. They include local and express bus, ferry, paratransit, commuter van, jitney, light rail, subway and commuter rail services. All of these systems use less fuel and move far more people than conventional single occupancy vehicles. Most of these systems are funded with your tax dollars, thanks to President Johnson.
Today we have the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its various operating agencies, including NYC Transit subway, bus and Staten Island Railway, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, MTA Bus along with Nassau Inter County’s Express bus system. 
Chartered by the State Legislature in 1965 as the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority, it was created to purchase and operate the bankrupt LIRR. The MCTA changed its name to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 1968 when it took over operations of the NYC Transit Authority. In 1953 the old NYC Board of Transportation passed on control of the municipal subway system, including all its assets to the newly created NYC Transit Authority. 
 
In Nassau County, we have Nassau Inter County Express bus  and City of Long Beach bus systems. In 1973, Nassau County purchased equipment, routes and some facilities of numerous private bus operators, most of which were experiencing financial difficulties. These private bus operators included Bee Line, Rockville Center Bus Corporation, Utility Lines, Schenck Transportation, Inc., Hempstead Bus Corporation, Jerusalem Avenue Bus Lines, Universal Auto Bus, Roosevelt Bus Lines, Stage Coach Lines, Hendrickson Bus Corporation and others.
Nassau County followed up that same year, entering into a lease and operating agreement with the MTA to continue providing local bus service. This resulted in creation of the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority.  MSBA was followed by Long Island Bus and as of Jan. 1, 2012 Nassau Inter County Express. Many of the same routes operated by MSBA. LI Bus and NICE can be traced back to the various private bus operators. 
 Suffolk County has Suffolk County Bus and Town of Huntington Area Rapid Transit (HART) Bus.
There is also New Jersey Transit, Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) subway, NYC Departments of Transportation Staten Island Ferry and Economic Development Corporation private ferries.
 

Using MTA Metro or OMNY Cards provides free transfers between the subway and bus. This has eliminated the old two-fare zones making public transportation an even better bargain. Purchasing a monthly LIRR or MTA subway/bus pass reduces the cost per ride and provides virtually unlimited trips.  Employers can offer transit checks, which help subsidizes a portion of the costs. Utilize this and reap the benefits. It supports a cleaner environment.

Many companies allow employees to telecommute and work from home. Others use alternative work schedules, which afford staff the ability to avoid rush hour gridlock. This saves travel time and can improve mileage per gallon. Join a car or van pool to share the costs of commuting.

The ability to travel from home to workplace, school, shopping, entertainment, medical, library etc. is a factor when moving to a new neighborhood. Economically successful communities are not 100% dependent on automobiles as the sole means of mobility. Seniors, students, low- and middle-income people need these transportation alternatives. Investment in public transportation today contributes to economic growth, employment and a stronger economy. Dollar for dollar, it is one of the best investments we can make.

What better way to honor the late President Johnson and all that has been achieved these past 60 years in public transportation by continuing to fund the federal Highway Trust Fund and Mass Transit Account. 
 
Happy Birthday!
 
Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously served as a former Director for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.  ]
Larry Penner
Great Neck

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