(Editor's Note: Senator Craig Johnson sent the following letter to H. Dale Hemmerdinger, chair of the MTA. It is being printed below at the senator's request.)

I would like to congratulate you on your recent appointment as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

As the head of this vitally important agency, it is my hope that you will use this position to move the MTA forward, making it more responsive and more sensitive to the needs and concerns of the public.

As the representative of an area that is heavily dependent on and affected by rail service, I am requesting to meet with you on two issues that are vitally important to the people in the 7th Senate District.

First, I request that the MTA reconsider its plan for fare increases.

The escalating cost of living on Long Island is out of control. For many residents whose jobs are in New York City, train fare is a major expense. As property taxes spiral out of control, and radically out-pace salary increases, my constituents simply cannot afford to pay more for rail service.

I believe that putting a prohibition on this plan will go a long way toward convincing the public that this is a new MTA.

The second subject is the proposed third track expansion. This is a project that has garnered a great deal of controversy from the communities that this will touch.

Its opponents, of which I am one, have grave concerns about the negative impact this additional line will have on the quality of life in Bellerose, Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Garden City Park, Garden City, Carle Place, Mineola, Westbury, Hicksville and the surrounding communities.

I would like to discuss both these issues with you in greater detail. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (516) 746-5923. I look forward to meeting with you.

Craig M. Johnson

Senator, 7th District