Thanks to local station CBS 2, it is now known that thousands (24,000 to be exact) of bureaucrats have been given lifetime passes to use the bridges and tunnels in New York. While the MTA claims they are strapped for cash and must raise the fares for hard-working New Yorkers, board members don't even bother to show up for public meetings. Now that this information is public, some are calling for heads to roll.
From WCBS-TV:
It's an appalling investigation that led David Moretti, the head of the MTA's Bridge and Tunnel division to avoid being questioned by CBS 2 HD. Moretti was so anxious to get away from CBS 2 HD cameras, in fact, that he hid in a classroom for 45 minutes before a scheduled MTA fare hike hearing.
What was he hiding from? He's running from questions about free rides.
At a time when the agency wants to raise fares, it's giving free orange EZ passes to nearly 24,000 people to get across the MTA's nine bridges and tunnels.
That's 3.3 million trips.
"It's outrageous. It makes me completely angry," says Jana Glowatz of East Meadow.
Councilman Michael McMahon, D-Staten Island, testified passionately against the fare hike. He was stunned to learn of the free pass scheme.
"That's the most outrageous thing I've ever heard, and if it's true, whoever's doing it should go to jail," he said.
Moretti better hide. Millions of New Yorkers would love to get the chance to talk face to face with him for a few minutes....each. Not only do some of these people have the free EZpasses, several have multiple boxes for their cars. Former board members Kalikow and Nasti have eight and four passes respectively. Not surprisingly, both claim that they are the sole users of those twelve passes.
Do you believe them? I didn't think so.
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