New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), the Senate's representative and Long Island's lone voice on the four-person Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) Capital Program Review Board, began a grassroots "riders campaign" to save Long Island Rail Road service scheduled for elimination and prevent fare increases proposed by the MTA in its July Financial Plan for 2005-2008.

"The Long Island Rail Road is an essential part of our region's history and is a critical component of peoples' daily lives," said Senator Skelos. "The MTA's planned elimination of the various branches, including the West Hempstead line, the termination of weekend service at other stations and a second fare increase in two years will have far-reaching effects that touch every Long Islander. The MTA must go back to the drawing board and try harder to come up with a plan that preserves comprehensive service and protects riders."

The MTA recently released its Financial Plan 2005-08 and its proposed, $27.6 billion five-year Capital Program (2005-09). In its three-year Financial Plan, the MTA included massive service reductions, such as the abandonment of the West Hempstead, Oyster Bay and Ronkonkoma to Greenport branches, and the elimination of weekend service on, among others, the Far Rockaway line (serving the Five Towns) in 2006. Moreover, the plan proposed deferred train station cleaning, a 5 percent fare increase and additional service consolidations.

Senator Skelos "riders campaign" includes the distribution of informational materials to commuters within the Ninth Senate District. This handout includes a tear-and-return card enabling riders to voice their opposition to the MTA's plan. After they are mailed back to Senator Skelos' office, he will personally deliver them to the Long Island Rail Road's headquarters in Jamaica, Queens.

Senator Skelos has also can sign an E-petition by logging into http://senatordeanskelos.org/jtf.asp. Residents may also contact Senator Skelos in writing at 55 Front Street, Rockville Centre, NY 11570, by telephone at (516) 766-8383, or by e-mail at skelos@senate.state.ny.us.

Endorsing Senator Skelos' campaign is the West Hempstead Civic Association and The Community Alliance.