New Legislation For East End Transportation

Suffolk Life - January 14, 2004

By Erin Carpenter

State Assemblyman Fred W Thiele Jr. (R-Bridgehampton) recently introduced a new piece of legislation that would create the Peconic Bay Regional Transportation Authority. The authority's purpose would be to "implement much-needed and long-overdue transportation improvements on the East End of Long Island," according to Thiele.

"Given the progress of the regional SEEDS [Substantial East End Development Strategies] transportation study and numerous other local transportation studies being conducted by local government, the time was right to initiate a bill that could make locally generated recommendation a reality," noted Thiele.

Thiele supplemented his statement by adding that the reason he had proposed the Peconic Bay Transportation Authority was because it was "clear that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority [had] no real interest in solving East End transportation problems.

"The Peconic Bay region pays substantial additional taxes," said Thiele. "However, we are shortchanged when it comes to services. The Eastern End of Long Island houses 4% to 5% of the Island's population. [Therein lies] the distinct and important need for transportation, which has not really been addressed."

According to Thiele, 10 years ago, the East End Economic and Environmental Task Force issued "Blueprint for Our Future," which contained 44 recommendations to create jobs and preserve the environment. Included in the "blueprint" were two recommendations for "park and rail" facilities, as well as shuttle train services that were ignored by the MTA. "In fact," said Thiele, "the MTA has cut services [on the East End.]" Thiele went on to explain that numerous stations and ticket offices have been closed.

"The MTA has also reneged on their promise to the town of Southampton to improve the Westhampton Rail Station, continued construction on a communications tower in Southampton [despite] local protest and ignored the plight of Montauk residents suffering from noise pollution from trains kept running overnight. They have displayed an arrogance for local concerns that must be addressed now," said Thiele.

The Peconic Bay Transportation Authority will consist of five members. "One member from each town [East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton and Southold] will be selected by each town board to serve. The governor will make the appointments," said Thiele.

The authority will establish a "transportation district for the Peconic Bay Region," said Thiele. "It would establish a master plan and capital plan, be directed to consider specific transportation options for the South Fork and operate the new regional transportation services.

"Through local control and by keeping our own tax dollars, it is my goal to provide our region with the transportation services we deserve. If these problems continue to be ignored, our traffic and transportation problems will continue to worsen," he continued.

Thiele stated that the one unresolved issue circling the Peconic Bay Transportation Authority would be "whether [the authority] would a) supplement services already provided by MTA or b) take over all transportation services currently provided by the MTA." He also expressed his willingness to "work with the MTA" in the future.

Thiele stated that it was his "intention to meet with the East End Supervisors and Mayors Association early in the year to discuss the proposal." After the meeting, Thiele said he was "anticipating public hearings on the measure."