Late Monday night, the Nassau County Legislature unanimously adopted an amended version of a contract with Veolia Transportation.
While the new contract still cedes much power to Veolia, the amendments and a new memorandum of understanding do guarantee that there will be no fare increases in 2012, no cuts to Able-Ride service for three years, and no fare increases or service cuts without a pair of public hearings before the newly-formed Transit Advisory Committee. Any cuts or fare increases must go through a 45-day waiting period prior to implementation. By more clearly outlining the powers of the Transit Advisory Committee, the amendments protect the TAC from being weakened by the County Executive, and the changed contract requires that the County Executive and legislature agree on changes to the TAC’s purview.
These amendments, offered by the Democratic caucus, came after a heated public hearing and an announcement that Veolia’s European parent company is divesting from the transportation business. In an effort to reassure riders, Veolia representatives and Nassau’s Chief Deputy County Executive Rob Walker reminded the public that Nassau County can opt out of the contract at any time, so long as they give 90 days notice. There was no discussion of what would happen after a potential opt-out.
Though turnout for the final hearing was light—possibly because the vote was moved up a week from its original December 19th scheduling—speakers were unanimously opposed to the adoption of the contract. While the contract’s passage marks an end to the first phase of this privatization process, comments by speakers indicated that bus transit advocacy in Nassau County is just getting underway. Immediately after testifying, Charlene Obernauer, Executive Director of Long Island Jobs With Justice, announced the formation of a NICE Bus Riders’ Union, which will seek to protect riders from future fare hikes and service cuts.
In addition, Pat Bowden, President of Transport Workers Union Local 252, indicated that, while the deal between Nassau County and Veolia is done, the union has yet to reach an agreement with the company. This could pose a problem for Veolia, who is scheduled to take over on January 1st. Ms. Bowden pointed out that the privatization contract means that Nassau County’s transit workers are no longer bound by the Taylor Law, which prohibits public employee strikes.
Newsday is covering the labor negotiations here.
TSTC should be focused on service levels and fares in at Nassau County bus and less hung up on who the operator is. Many cities provide excellent public transportation services via contract operators. Veolia certainly knows more about public transportation than the administrators of Nassau County.
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