Dear Editor:
The Quality of Life Coalition has been speaking up for the welfare of Hoboken citizens for several years. On the list of its activities is the defeat of a plan to build a huge hockey arena in Hoboken, and the recent work to save at least a few of the National-Register-eligible historic buildings at the Maxwell site. With the organization’s letter to the editor published several weeks ago, its effort to obtain transparency in the mater of an increase in ferry fares is a continuation of the QLC’s concern for the future well-being of people in Hoboken.
The QLC’s letter spurred a response from NY Waterway that was printed in the11/9/03 issue of The Reporter. The company corrected saw that QLC was requesting action by a governmental agency for a detailed investigation as to the fairness of and justification for its recent ferry fare increase, especially since federal money has been granted to the company. QLC even suggested the possibility of some type of future regulation of increases, not necessarily to stop the increases, but to make certain they are appropriate. The company got the message and wrote that there was “no need” for government to get involved.
NY Waterway is entitled to its response but the QLC still urges an examination and if warranted, thereafter, the possibility for “some form of future regulations” as noted by Mike Horan, NJ Department of Transportation (Jersey Journal 9/5/03). The president of the ferry company tried to justify non-governmental involvement by stating, “Claims that NY Waterway received huge amounts of federal subsidies simply are not true.” This is amazing in the fact of published statements from the Port Authority’s Chief of Regional and Economic Development that the ferry company has been “the recipient of some $35 million” in Federal Emergency Administration Management funds, as well as other FEMA monies totaling $10 million (Jersey Journal 9/8/03).
Perhaps NY Waterway does not consider FEMA money as subsidies or that FEMA is not a federal agency or that $45 million is not a “huge amount.” For taxpayers it certainly seems a pretty large benefit for NY Waterway and one that calls for scrutiny of fare increases and the usage of federal funds.
The QLC will continue to urge investigation of far increases especially those where federal funds have sustained the organization. Privately held transit organizations affect the lives of thousands of people who may or may not see the recent NY Waterway increase as a problem. The point is that the current increase as well as those that will undoubtedly occur in the future should not be out of the reach of public and governmental scrutiny, and even regulation, when required. Our state offices and legislators need to stay on top of this situation for the benefit of all commuters.
Quality of Life Coalition