BusTalk

Commackbustaker · Age: 41 Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Posts: 145

If one wants to get involved, and effect what is going on with Suffolk County Transit, going to the meetings of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, is a good first step. I'm leaving with you 2 links. First is how to speak before the legislator or committees: http://legis.suffolkcountyny.gov/howtospeak.html And the Second is when this particular committee has meetings: http://legis.suffolkcountyny.gov/clerk/cmeet/pw/pw12.html If you want to look at previous years minutes and transcriptions, just substitue 12 at the end of that for the year you may be interested in ex: instead of pw12.html it would be pw10.html for 2010 or so on. I believe its important to get this information out and participate. I do realize it's in the middle of the day and such, but I want those who can get there to be informed on how.

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

BAH! You noted, "...First is how to speak before the legislator or committees...".

So, one may infer the entire process is out of control? This ain't the same as having respectful conversations with The Lord!
Last I heard these - in so many cases, unelected - put their pants (or panties) on the same way as anyone else.
They are still being paid by enternally suffering taxpayers!

........................Vern....................

Commackbustaker · Age: 41 Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Posts: 145

Vern,
I totally agree! There's order, but this is how one gets heard. With the added bonus that some of these meetings (especially the evening ones) you'd want it to end before the buses stop running. Unlike the City of New York with the Port and Metropolitan Transit Authorities controlling their namesakes, Suffolk County Transit runs it's own buses with full and sole input, so as such county legislators and the executive decide what goes on with it. The county also has a limit of how much time one can have in front in attendance of the public taxpayer funded committee or legislature, which is another frustrating aspect of getting changes done. I would say the thing to do in this situation is go to one of the committee or legislator member's offices and talk with them first, then follow the steps below. Currently there is to be a fare raise in the county in the spring starting perhaps as soon as May, I and the others in this forum using SCT that would like to see Sunday service included in fare hikes on more routes then currently are. We'll see what happens.

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

Commack' -

Many Thanks! First, fare increasesare inevitable. Most any Agency budgets in complete shambles. All badly need increased funding!
So as to "make nice" we are all expected to pretend there are no inflation effects on operating costs. This is precisely what put the
private operators out of the business!

"Public Input Meetings"? Don't get me started on the present day charade! It often accomplishes little. The "PTB" types can check off,
on a list, they did it. Let me guess? Your own experience is these folks sit on a raised dais, to suggest they sent from a Higher Power.

If it were a real, "let's get some things done" meeting, it would be "meet and greet" with munchies and beers all around. The problem
with it being? Many of those involved are near completely absent any people skills! The last thing they ever want to do is "meet and
greet"! (I just had this telcon earlier today with a colleague.)

Now, what one may infer, and it is likely correct: A strong willed "Citizen" can impose their own point of view, and get some respect.
Otherwise, the entire process is often quite flawed silliness...

......................Vern.................

S-60 To Smith Haven Mall · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:57 pm Post subject:

Commackbustaker · Age: 41 Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Posts: 145

This sounds like even more of a reason to have the discussion with your local elected officials, perhaps like your assembly person or state senator to get some funds down here for this. They just gave a nice tidy sum for the MTA to play with, there should be some for the state to give to SCT. One fare increase is tough but doable, 2 fare increases and we're back to where we started nearly 10 years ago. There should be no reason that we should have to pay the highest fares in the area for transportation. That might end up making the train the better alternative. Check out Jimbo's post in the other topic.

S-60 To Smith Haven Mall · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:21 pm Post subject:

Commackbustaker · Age: 41 Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Posts: 145

S60, I'm wondering if you got around to calling SILO yet, I've been working all day the last few so I haven't.

S-60 To Smith Haven Mall · Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 11:07 pm Post subject:

Commackbustaker · Age: 41 Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Posts: 145

Commackbustaker · Age: 41 Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Posts: 145

I have contacted SILO in the latter part of this week, and I've gotten ahold of someone who might be able to obtain the meetings audio or transcripts, but they needed to time to get the info. I was told someone would get back to me when they could about that. When I receive it I will post whatever I can and the rest I will PM to any interested party.

Commackbustaker · Age: 41 Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Posts: 145

Well that was fast, I have been told this morning that there is no minutes or audio recording from that fixed route meeting at SILO in May of 2011. Sorry I did my best to get them though.

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

Commackbustaker · Age: 41 Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Posts: 145

HwyHaulier · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 932 Location: Harford County, MD

Commack' -

Many Thanks! Which is why I try to avoid responses on purely New York area items. I have little exposure to the purely local issues.
Thanks for noting SILO better styled as a worthy, largely voluntary (I guess) interest group. Indeed! It is too much to expect such
entities to follow regulations which prevail throughout government agencies. Many of the "interest groups" have problems enough,
simply in attracting good members...

.......................Vern.....................