MTA names co-chairs of fare evasion panel

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York has appointed Rosemonde Pierre-Louis and Roger Maldonado as co-chairs of the agency's Fareness Blue-Ribbon Panel, formed to address fare and toll evasion.

Pierre-Louis is executive director of the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University. Maldonado is a partner at Smith Gambrell LLP and was previously president of the New York City Bar Association, MTA officials said in a press release.

The co-chairs will lead efforts to find effective and equitableresponses to fare and toll evasion, as well as develop strategies to encourage payment.

"Rose Pierre-Louis and Roger Maldonado are bringing years of invaluable experience from their diverse and successful careers," said MTA Special Counsel Jeremy Feigelson, who leads MTA staff support for the panel. "Their previous work in public service and leadership positions align with the foundational goals of the MTA’s Fareness Blue-Ribbon Panel to bring fresh eyes to this issue."

Farebox and toll revenue account for nearly 40% of MTA's operating budget.

Meanwhile, the MTA Long Island Rail Road has announced additional virtual public meetings on Grand Central Madison draft timetables.

Grand Central Madison, an $11.1 billion infrastructure project that is the largest expansion of LIRR service in 100 years and the largest passenger-rail terminal built since the 1950s, is being constructed underneath Grand Central Terminal and Madison Avenue between 43rd and 48th streets in New York City. The service is expected to open to riders by year's end and increase LIRR morning peak service by 40%.

The public can give feedback to senior LIRR leaders at the meetings, which will be live-streamed on YouTube and Zoom Aug. 4 and Aug. 11.