Student MetroCards hot topic at RHBA meeting

A local meeting got heated when someone asked about student MetroCards.
At the most recent meeting of the Richmond Hill Block Association (RHBA), on Wednesday, February 24, Joseph Raskin, assistant director of government & community relations for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), addressed the agency’s upcoming cuts in light of its “doomsday budget.”
“The change you will see that will affect you most in this area is the combination of the ‘M’ and ‘V’ trains,” explained Raskin. “There is no part of the city that is not affected.”
Though many in the room felt that the “outer-boroughs” are facing more service cuts than Manhattan, Raskin assured them that this is not the case.
In fact, he said, the Q56 bus and the “Z” train will continue “as is,” as will the “J” train, except for longer waits on weekends.
The QM23 may be cut, however, said Raskin.
And with the condition of the “J” an ongoing problem, Raskin informed the crowd of upcoming repairs.
With moneys already allocated, he said, in May the MTA will be replacing street stairways at all stations, beginning at 121st Street. This spring, there will be track replacement toward Woodhaven; the work will disrupt service for six or seven weekends, he noted, and shuttle buses will be provided. And in the fall, crews will begin a rehab of the elevated structure, followed by a repainting.
The MTA, said Raskin, is trying to minimize the impact of the cuts.
Another guest speaker at the meeting was a representative for the 2010 U.S. Census.
He informed those assembled that forms will be mailed in March, and with only 10 questions, it is imperative that these questionnaires be completed.
“The Constitution requires we count people every 10 years,” he explained, noting that between 1990 and 2000, the population of the United States increased by 32 million.
The Census, then, he said, is a vehicle by which the government determines the needs of communities in terms of funding and political representation.
During the last Census, only 54 percent of Queens residents filled out forms; the rest had to be counted.
With over 100 linguists speaking nearly every language, and with all information safe and confidential, everyone – legal or not – should complete the Census, he said.
Wendy Bowne, RHBA President, noted that there are still some spots open in the “Mommy and Me” program, for children ages one to three and their parents.
For more information, call 718-849-3759.