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CITYWIDE — The MTA must restore cuts to bus service it made last week without public notice, a State Supreme Court judge ruled on Thursday afternoon. During a hearing held Thursday regarding a lawsuit from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and the Transportation Workers Union of America, Local 100, State Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron in Manhattan issued a Temporary Restraining Order to restore recent cuts made to bus services in several boroughs. This litigation, which highlights the cost-cutting measures undertaken by the MTA since the last-minute “pause” of congestion pricing, is the first in a series to be filed in coordination with a coalition of transit riders, disabled commuters, and environmental advocates as part of a legal effort that initiated by Comptroller Brad Lander initiated. It orders the MTA to reverse its major reduction in service as the case proceeds. Cuts to service began without public notice on Friday, July 12, an apparent violation of the New York State Public Authorities Law, which requires the MTA to give 30 days' notice of any non-emergency bus service reduction to the NYC Mayor and Council. The lawsuit alleges that MTA failed to provide such notice or to allow the City Council to hold a public hearing on the service cuts.
The next court date in this case is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 24.
