Nassau County Legislator Jeffrey Toback (D-Oceanside) told MTA officials at a November 9 public hearing to leave the Far Rockaway Branch of the Long Island Railroad intact and challenged the board members to tighten it's budget, instead of asking the public for additional funds. The MTA's preliminary budget called for the possible elimination of the weekend service on the Far Rockaway Branch and for an increase in fares and service cuts across Long Island.

"Having learned that thousands of my constituents and their visitors rely on the railroad as a link to New York City and beyond each weekend, I believe that cutting off this artery would be fatal to the quality of life for mass transit patrons," said Legislator Toback. "We should be fostering more rail service, in an attempt to get cars off our gridlocked roads. I am pleased that the MTA has taken the service cuts off the table for 2005. I thank State Senator Dean Skelos for his leadership on that issue."

Toback told MTA officials to look inward and make itself as efficient as possible before it looks to commuter for money.

"I challenge the MTA to demand more from its managers, and direct that it closely look at each department. Line by line in its budget to fins areas where funds can be saved, before coming back to the commuters for a fare hike."

The MTA said it faces a multi-million deficit in 2005 that must be balanced through fare increases. In 2006 the MTA's deficit balloons to more than $1 billion. The agency is considering closing the Oyster Bay, West Hempstead and line east of Ronkonkoma to Greenport. It could also cut weekend service on the Port Jefferson line, in addition to the Far Rockaway line.

"I pledge to be vigilant in protecting the important service that the MTA provides in my district and throughout the county and region," Legislator Toback said.

About a 100 people attended the public hearing held at the Huntington Hilton in Melville.