WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Several elected officials said a written statement on a community forum organized Saturday afternoon will be provided to the MTA before the agency's Wednesday board meeting, after the transit agency failed to send a representative to a community gathering for the second time this year.
The MTA didn't state why it didn't attend the community forum, but said it asked Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who organized the meeting, to provide the agency with comments made at the forum.
Espaillat's office did not immediately specify what the written statement would entail.
Many Uptown residents were disappointed that the MTA did not show up to the meeting at P.S. 8 at 465 W. 167th St. — where dozens attended— asking where the MTA was.
Where was the @MTA ?
— Jenn b nyc (@thecricketnyc) July 22, 2017
Others thanked officials for organizing the event and relaying their thoughts to the agency.
Thank you @RepEspaillat for reading my Q as written & @Straphangers for taking a crack at answer! @MTA wish you were here to answer it. So:
— Natalie Fabe Ubias (@NatalieFabe) July 22, 2017
The meeting, organized by Espaillat along with the Comptroller Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, was the second time this year that elected officials tried to bring in MTA representatives to discuss broken elevators, escalators and A-train delays in the community.
Rodriguez previously organized a transportation town hall on Jan. 30 — following a series of breakdowns in the elevators of the 168th Street station — but the MTA was a no-show for that meeting as well.
The elected officials said a written statement report on what was shared will be provided to the agency just in time for the Wednesday board meeting. Officials said the agency is planning to unveil a 30-day emergency report.
In closing, summary of this meeting & community concerns will be shared at @MTA open meeting this Wednesday. All should attend! 10am.
— JWH (@ssejsllew) July 22, 2017
“Chairman Joseph Lhota has been listening to the public and conducting a comprehensive review of the organization and will be releasing a report on his findings and plans soon as promised,” said Kevin Ortiz, MTA spokesman.