By Michael V. Cusenza
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) took to Twitter on Tuesday to rip the Metropolitan Transportation Authority over a variety of issues affecting straphangers in the 32nd Council District.
Ariola used a five-post fusillade to take the embattled agency to task. The posts have been read thousands of times, with one notching more than 16,000 views as of Wednesday afternoon.
“Hey @MTA – can you explain why you guys would prefer the abandoned storefronts under your ownership to be used as urinals instead of being profitable businesses?”
File Photo
Ariola ripped the MTA over a variety of issues affecting bus and subway customers in the 32nd Council District.
“Hey @MTA – any chance you can have your buses stop stacking up on Beach 116th Street and blocking traffic? You promised you would – still waiting on that.”
“Hey @MTA – any chance you can remove the bird feces from the abandoned storefronts on your properties throughout D32, especially on Beach 116th Street?”
“Hey @MTA – any chance your bus drivers can stop to pick up riders at the stop on 18th Road in Broad Channel? You guys moved the stop, and didn’t seem to inform your drivers of the change.”
“Hey @MTA – is it common practice for your assistant director of government and community relations to yell at and then hang up on an elected official? Because Lucille Songhai just did that.”
The last one is the post that rang up more than 16,000 views on its own.
This isn’t the first time Ariola has publicly blasted the authority. In December, the councilwoman lambasted MTA President of Subway and Bus Systems Richard Davey over remarks he made regarding fare beating.
“MTA President Richard Davey just said during City Hall testimony that 30-percent of bus riders are not paying their fares. Even this number seems low. Clearly, more enforcement needs to be done here,” Ariola said. “This seems like a problem to me.”
