WPCNR MAINLINE NEWS. Special to WPCNR By Renee Marks Cohen. February 1, 2009: On January 30, the Westchester County Association presented Elliot (“Lee”) Sander, Executive Director and CEO of the MTA, at their Distinguished Speaker Breakfast.

Metro North Northbound Tracks, White Plains

Sander oversees 2.4 billion subway, rail, and bus trips each year (about one third of U.S. mass transit trips); and the bridges and tunnels that carry over 300 million vehicles per year. (In light of the economy, the writer wondered what Sander’s bonus, pension, and parachute are.)

Here are MTA Director/CEO Sander’s main points:

·        The MTA is facing a $1.2 billion operating deficit mainly due to debt service of about $2 billion a year, what Sander called a “horrible situation.” It thus has Draconian budget issues.

·        Its 5-year capital program will cost $30 billion; that includes creating the Second Avenue subway.

·        The MTA has cut its budget about 11 percent. Its administrative costs are 7 percent of its budget.

·        Sander hopes the MTA will receive 15 percent of the brand new Federal transportation stimulus package of $9 billion.

·        If the MTA doesn’t get enough funding (as happened in the 1970s and ‘80s), the resulting poor capital program might lead to the demise of Manhattan. Sander displayed a 1912 signaling mechanism that was used until recently on a city subway.

·        According to Sander, sustainability is a big issue. The MTA explores many green initiatives, including offshore wind farms, aluminum third rails, hybrid-powered buses, and rolling stock that uses less energy.

·        The MTA wants a clear vision of population growth in Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, and Putnam Counties.

·        Safety and security are important for the organization.

·        Congestion pricing was too political; bridge tolls can be a substitute.