MTA Board Holds Contentious Hearing, But Has Few Subway Solutions

To say it's been a bad month for the subways is an understatement. There's daily signal problems. And no one wants to experience that nightmarish video of F train riders trapped on a train for nearly an hour. With that as the back drop, the MTA held its monthly meeting Wednesday.

Interim Executive Director Ronnie Hakim announced that the MTA will conduct a "top-to-bottom review." It will look at how the MTA responds to problems and communicates them to the public. It will also explore what the MTA can do to solve the problems. The review will be an internal document not released to the public.

Board members had mix responses to news that the governor is pushing legislation that would add two more board members to the board that the governor selects. Acting chairman Fernando Ferrer said he welcomed the governor's move. Others, like Mayor de Blasio-appointee Veronica Vanterpool, said the governor's influence over the board is already too heavy.

"What is not welcome is when we as a board are neutered from making decisions on behalf of the public," Vanterpool said.

Board member Charles Moerdler fired back, "Without any disrespect, you may feel neutered. I never have."

Speaking afterward, Vanterpool said over the past two years she's noticed that news about the MTA and information about the board comes out of the Governor's office or leaks to the press.

Board members also argued over whether the MTA should withhold payments to Amtrak, as Governor Cuomo has urged, during the 8-week shutdown of some service at Penn Station. Members were divided with some concerned about wasting legal resources over the issue.

During the meeting, Amtrak's CEO Wick Moorman sent the board members a letter, arguing that withholding money won't solve the problems at Penn Station.