The Nassau County Legislature Rules Committee approved a controversial contract with Veolia Transportation to operate the county bus system in a vote along party lines on Monday, paving the way for a possible vote by the full Legislature next Monday following a public hearing.
The seven-member rules committee cleared the contract that calls for Veolia to operate Long Island Bus, with four Republican committee members voting for the contract and three Democratic committee members voting against it.
Democratic legislators objected to the Republicans’ schedule, saying it did not give legislators enough time to review the contract or consider the public’s input at a hearing slated for Dec. 5.
“I don’t think we should rush this process through in the next week,” said Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead), newly elected leader of the Legislature’s Democratic minority.
Presiding officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said quick action was required since the bus system’s current contract with the MTA is set to expire on Dec. 31 and the last scheduled meeting of the Legislature is set for Dec. 19.
“We have to have a decision by Dec. 19,” Schmitt said. He said that proposing the possibility of voting immediately after the Dec. 5 public hearing, “doesn’t say we’re going to, just says we could.”
Schmitt ignored a suggestion from Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) to “remove the doubt right now” and schedule the vote for the Dec. 12 meeting of the Legislature.
Comments from public advocates at the rules committee meeting focused on concerns that the proposed contract permits Veolia to make unilateral changes to fares and service.
“By ceding so much power the Legislature puts Nassau County bus riders at risk for higher fares and reduced services,” said Tara Klein, policy director for Long Island Vision.
At issue in the contract is a section stating that a “Major Event,” such as “material changes in the funding identified in the annual plan and budget beyond the control of Veolia or the County,” could result in a “Major Change” of more than 25 percent in fare and number of service hours on a particular route.
Such changes would require approval of both Veolia and the Republican-controlled Transit Committee.
The proposed contract also caps cost of the bus system at $106.35 million for the first year of operation.
The move to privatize the company was prompted when the MTA said it lacked the means to maintain Long Island Bus at current costs.
Schmitt said the administration of Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano “didn’t cede anything” in negotiating the contract.
“In this contract, Veolia has full authority,” said Ryan Lynch, senior planner for the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “To leave full authority in a private group’s hands is deemed irresponsible.”
Schmitt was visibly angered at Lynch’s comments, interrupting to say he objected to his use of the word “irresponsible.”
“We’re just teeing this up for the full Legislature,” Schmitt said.
Jacobs repeated the accusation, telling Schmitt, “We’re not experts, you and I. All I hope is that the people are protected.”
Schmitt said Jacobs was presuming that he was intending to call for a vote on the issue after the public hearing.
Schmitt denied that he had a game plan, but made it clear he intended to expedite approval of the bus contract.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do,” he said.
Nassau County Legislator Judi Bosworth (D-Great Neck) said she was concerned that legislators would not have enough time to assimilate information contained in the 85-page contract.
“My concern is that there hasn’t been sufficient time to hear concerns from riders and concerns from labor. It’s the people who are using the system and working in the system who know it best,” she said. “Now we’re so squeezed, I don’t know if we’re going to have enough time.”
Chris Gavan, vice president of Transport Workers Union Local 252 said the latitude Veolia would have to alter service under the proposed contract will put the 800 members of his union local at risk.
“They’re rushing it through. You hid the contract all along and now they won’t answer the questions,” Gavan said.
