Crowd demands answers on LI Bus contract

Angry Long Island Bus workers, riders and advocates temporarily shut down a Nassau County budget hearing Friday, demanding information on the county's contract with Veolia Transportation -- the private operator chosen to take over the bus system on Jan. 1.

The outcry over the undisclosed details of the contract came as Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said the 30-minute period allotted for public comment was closed. Much of the time had been consumed by legislators' debate among themselves and few others had had the chance to raise questions or ask for details.

Some people, including LI Bus drivers and riders, continued to make their way to the podium. They kept coming after the microphone was turned off, demanding to be heard. Some took up the chant "We'll remember in November!" -- a reference to the Nov. 8 county elections.

As he was shouted down in the unusual display, Schmitt stood up and left the room, followed by several other Republican legislators.

Schmitt later called the incident "unfortunate."

Legislators were working to finish hearings on County Executive Edward Mangano's $2.6-billion budget, which is set for a vote on Sunday night along with amendments offered by Republicans and Democrats.

In June, Mangano announced that Veolia Transportation, of Lombard, Ill., would take over LI Bus on Jan. 1, when the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ends its 38-year operation of the system that serves about 100,000 weekday riders. County officials said then that a contract was expected in about 45 days.

The lack of information about the deal has fueled critics who say that turning over the county bus system to a private operator could result in major service reductions, fare hikes and wage and job losses for LI Bus employees.

As one example, they point to the county's pledge that fares and service would remain unchanged through 2012, while Veolia has said on its website that "there may be changes in routes or timetables as of January 1, 2012."

Mimi Johnson, of Elmont, was one of the only riders to speak Friday. While the county has been saying the partnership with Veolia isn't a done deal, she said, the company already has held job fairs and set up business offices. Such moves, she said, lead to the public "losing faith."

"It is very hard for us as human beings that are going through difficult times to have these kind of games played," she said.

Several Democratic lawmakers and speakers charged the timing of the contract's release is a political gambit, predicting it will be made public only after the Nov. 8 election. That way, they asserted, legislators who have backed the privatization plan -- largely Republicans -- will not suffer any fallout at the polls. Secondly, they said, the time left between now and Jan. 1 makes it harder to come up with another plan if the legislature votes down the contract.

"We'll probably have a hearing sometime in December that will basically say, 'Take it or leave it. Veolia or nothing,' " said Legis. Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead). Abrahams called for Schmitt and other Republicans to support a measure to extend the county's relationship with the MTA in case the contract vote fails, but none would agree.

Schmitt defended the delay in producing a contract, saying it was moving through the proper channels.

Legis. Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn) questioned if Republicans aren't already well aware of what is in the contract, noting that GOP legislators Friday proposed a budget addendum to go toward the county's bus system.

Later Friday, Brian Nevin, a spokesman for Mangano, confirmed that the $103,818,256 in the addendum will go to the bus system, but said the money is expected to be recouped in fare revenue and government aid.

Nevin said the contract with Veolia was recently completed and has been signed by Veolia, but still must be reviewed by attorneys and polished with a summary and cover. He said it would be released to the legislature "soon."

"The administration fully anticipates legislative hearings will be held on the Veolia bus contract in November," Nevin said.He did reveal one detail about the contract: Able-Ride -- the bus service for disabled riders in Nassau -- will keep existing levels of service for the next two years.

Late Friday afternoon, Chief Deputy County Executive Rob Walker also spoke in defense of the contract, saying the MTA mismanaged LI Bus and wasted millions. He said the county will save $6 million in reduced fuel costs with Veolia, which has proved it can run bus systems efficiently.

Ryan Lynch, spokesman for the nonprofit Tri-State Transportation Campaign, who attended the hearing, said "a lack of transparency during this entire process" has angered the people who work for LI Bus and riders who depend upon the bus system.

"People are just really tired of being in the dark and want to know what their bus system will look like on Jan. 1," he said.

What's needed before buses roll

CONTRACT

County officials say a contract with private operator Veolia Transportation is almost complete but needs minor additions, including a summary and cover.

PUBLIC HEARING

After the contract is completed and released, a public hearing will be scheduled to gather input. The contract will include details on fares and service.

COUNTY VOTE

A majority of the Nassau County Legislature's seven-member Rules Committee and a majority of the 19-member legislature must approve the contract.

NIFA APPROVAL

Because the contract will be worth more than $50,000, the Nassau Interim Finance Authority must review it and give approval.

FINAL AUTHORIZATION

County Executive Edward Mangano must sign off on a finalized contract by Jan. 1. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will stop operating LI Bus on Dec. 31.

-- ALFONSO A. CASTILLO