Misleading Information Against Transit Bill

IT should not be necessary to have to say this again, but in a letter to Governor Meyner and the Legislature released today the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Commission carefully emphasizes that:

"The transit district act (S-50) does one thing only—it creates a public agency, based on local representation, to develop and to negotiate such a public plan ... The district is in no way committed in advance ... any plan recommended by the district must thereupon obtain concurrent legislative and gubernatorial approval in both New York and New Jersey before it can be effectuated."

Opposition to passage of the bill may stem from misunderstanding or misinformation but that is hard to believe. The opponents are trying to spread the idea that the so-called "Page Plan", suggested by the Rapid Transit Commission, will be imposed on the metropolitan area counties of New Jersey and New York against their will if S-50 is adopted. Nothing could be further from the truth. The district to be created by the bill could in no way burden the municipalities or counties with a large cost for carrying out any rapid transit scheme. The district could only recommend.

One of the conclusions reached by the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Commission in its final report was that an adequate co-ordinated and modernized system transit by rail and bus between New York and New Jersey is essential. Since this report was issued, jurisdiction over railroad passenger service has been given to the Interstate Commerce Commission by Congress. The ICC is permitting railroads to curtail non-paying passenger service. The time has arrived when the disappearance of rail commuter service is a real possibility.

S-50, now resting in the Assembly after passage by the Senate and the both houses of the New York Legislature, must be passed if the area is not to suffer irreparable economic harm. Selfish sniping should stop.