| Releases
& Statements
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2007
Contact: John Collins
(212) 669-4193; (917) 496-4587
Statement
by Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum on MTA's Failure to Fix Basic Flooding Problems
Public Advocate Gotbaum said, "The Metropolitan Transit Authority has once again shown us that when it rains in New York, it pours. But for New York riders, today's subway disruptions were not just an isolated incident, but something riders have come to expect: rain causes train delays, sometimes massive, citywide delays - and all because the MTA has not fixed basic flooding problems.
"The question is, if the subways become flooded and service is disrupted this easily during a simple storm, what will happen during a hurricane? Will the MTA bring the city to a standstill? I called on the MTA 3 years ago, and I am calling on them again today to take the steps necessary to prevent local and citywide disruptions in the future. Because, without a plan, the next flood could spell disaster for the city."
A recent report showed that if a category 4 hurricane were to hit New York City, the storm surge could top 20 to 25 feet (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/30/eveningnews/main1847562.shtml). Weather experts said that only three to five inches of rain fell on New York City today.
###
|
