Last week, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos released his 2010 year-end audit that showed the County ended the year with a $26.6 million surplus.  In response, Tri-State issued a statement welcoming the news and called for the surplus to be dedicated to funding LI Bus. Long Island Business News readers agreed, in an informal poll on what the surplus should be used for.

$26 million is exactly what the county needs to continue with an MTA-run bus system. For many years, the MTA provided a unique subsidy to Nassau County (see chart at right), but withdrew those funds this year. County Executive Ed Mangano responded by further cutting bus funding and seeking to privatize the system, even in the face of doubts over whether a private company can run a comparable system on such a budget.

In covering Tri-State’s statement calling for the surplus to be directed to LI Bus, the Long Island Business News issued an informal poll asking readers what the County should do with the surplus.  And while the poll is hardly scientific, the results are in and an overwhelming plurality of voters — 49% — think the surplus should support LI Bus.

For months, the County has pled poverty as an excuse to pay its fair share for its bus system.  If the County now has additional resources to support LI Bus, it is time to re-enter into negotiations with the MTA and come to a settlement that puts riders, students and businesses first.

Image: TSTC.