1. BUSES

• We should look at what is done in England. They have double-decker buses that connect all over. We should have a better bus system with bus stops along all main routes. If we have a better system, more people will use it.
• There are no buses on Long Island. We should build a travel system like in the city. The bus on my corner runs once an hour and taxis are very expensive.
• Have express buses in most directions that head toward the LIRR from the bus terminal. Specified buses should make several stops along the way from the terminal to the LIRR.
• Need more north-south transportation. There is no public transportation along this route. Bus lines or some other means of transportation along this route would get rid of some of the cars on the road.
• Best way to get people out of their cars and use mass transportation would be to realize the "Dollar Bus" project that was going to be implemented in the early 80’s. Object of project was to provide 24 mini buses to operate in two designated pilot areas which would have provided bus service throughout the community and made connections with major routes. Project never materialized. You have to place bus transportation within a reasonable walking distances from people’s homes to where they board the bus. As it is now, distances can be quite far, thus making it more practical for them to use their cars. Bottom line - in order to improve the environment and lure people out of their cars, bus service must be made more accessible.
• I own a retail music store on Hawkins Avenue. People walk into my store all the time and ask about buses. Effort is needed to get things printed and to make the public aware about bus routes and schedules.
• Need bus transportation north to south.
• Difficult to live on Long Island because you must have a car. Difficult to use buses/taxis because buses aren’t readily available and they’re unreliable. If they’re late, there’s no communication, so people would rather drive. Taxis are expensive and not readily available in many areas, so again people rely on driving. It would be much easier if buses/taxis were easier to use.
• Concerned about transit, especially for disabled. There are no buses in the area - more buses are needed with better schedules.
• Create walk-over bridges for major bus route stops, so people won’t get killed.
• Should have walk-over bridges for people who are taking bus and are on the wrong side and have to cross over and get the right bus. Roads are very dangerous. If we had walk-over bridges, people wouldn’t get hit by a car.
• For those who don’t want to take their cars, i.e. Green Acres Mall, should have a bus go directly to the door of a store in the mall. I experienced this in another state. Would cut down on safety concerns as expressed by the people in my area as a reason for not using the bus which requires them to stand outside where they feel unprotected at night. Would cut down on car usage to such malls.
• Major question on bus transportation. I do not drive. On the broadcast, not one mention of Suffolk County buses. Suffolk County buses are horrendous, never are on time, cannot depend on them, very big delays between times. For any kind of transportation in Suffolk, really need to get buses working together, even though Nassau County buses are not too bad.
• Most difficult thing about traveling on LI is going north to south. Strongly suggests several bus lines running from LIRR station nearest to Routes 110, 111, 112 on the southern end going to the LIRR station on the north end. Would facilitate travel between locations on the north and south shores. Would allow a LIRR passenger to transfer over via bus to another line with minimum interference and inconvenience if bus schedules were tied in with train schedules.
• Heard there would be bus transportation for NYC to Babylon during rush hours. $1.00-$2.00 fares -heard this on TV. Is this going to happen?
• Impression from telecast is that LIRR and buses will be major options instead of laying out new roads. LIRR should have a free connection to a bus, so people can make their connection. If there is an outrage, people now have to pay for bus connection or wait at Jamaica for a long time.
• Re: Emergency free connection. Should allow emergency free bus transfers for connection. Should also tell you which buses you need to take to make your connection.
• Bus transportation is too expensive out here. Bus from Deer Park to Babylon costs $1.50 to go about 3 miles. Buses stop at 4:00 PM. Anytime after this, you can’t get a bus from the Babylon train station to go to Deer Park. People have to use their cars. Better bus systems would help ease congestion.
• Watched TV show and one gentleman (doesn’t know which official) was absolutely dismayed at idea of free fare and said I don’t know how much it will help and changed the subject. Working people need and can benefit from free fare. If you have free fare, people will use transportation. But people like that, what is he doing making decisions?

2. RAILROAD (including specific stations, parking and other related issues)

• Age 73, not in good health, so can’t be active in this project. I was on the LIRR recently. It was the filthiest train I have been on in over 60 years. Could not see out the window, the seats were filthy.
• I have a number of statements in regard to some of the things I read. Some of the things we have in there are down right ludicrous and would stifle the middle class working men/women on Long Island. Some things make sense. A lot of things are missing that are valid. Let’s fix things that can be fixed before we re-invent the wheel. A key issue is mass transit. Many people use it but many more people do not use it because it is a major hassle to them. Can’t find parking at the stations, trains break down, trains are late. LIRR says they run on time. They do not. Five minutes late is late. In my boss’ opinion, if you’re one or two minutes late, you’re late. Their scheduling is bad, air conditioning does not work. Express trains to NYC would get a lot of people out of their cars. Technology is there. Funding is there, if used properly and not wasted and put into people’s pockets by scamming.
• Belmont and Aqueduct Racetracks are only opened half the season. They both have enormous parking lots at these locations. Why not use the parking there? They already have turnstiles there. Take people on LIRR and bring them into Penn Station or Brooklyn, instead of everyone driving in by themselves in their cars. Make the parking expensive so the people will share the ride going in. There could be five people in a car and then let them ride in free. This would get a lot of cars off the road. I have offered this suggestion to some other people, but I don’t think they want to take their heads out of the sand. I would like someone to contact me.
• Improve LIRR on Port Jefferson line (Kings Park, St. James): stations are dirty and need to be cleaned. Why can’t it be like Japan where they have beautiful transportation?
• Need express trains from Smithtown to NYC.
• There’s not enough LIRR parking. Try digging multiple level garages underneath the current parking fields.
• Trains go all hours and honk there horns up to 10 times per pass. Beyond 4 times is unnecessary and rude. Can something be done?
• Parking at LIRR is limited. Often only residents can park there. Parking should be increased and be free.
• LIRR should have more trains going back into the City during afternoon rush hours. Many times when wanted to go to a show or concert, train is at 4:00 and not another one until 7:00 PM. This is a 3 hour time lag during a time when people want to go into the City and take advantage of the night life there. LIRR (Ronkonkoma Line) should have at least one more train between these times.
• Why can’t we have train tunnels beneath parkways - SSP, NSP, LIE - could have a subway tunnel taking people east and west. Would eliminate a lot of the noise of cars and freight on these roads. Wouldn’t have to build noise walls. Trains in Japan to run high above ground.
• LIRR Central line from Hicksville to Babylon is underutilized. Only 1 train in morning (7:30 AM), 1 in evening (5:27 PM) and 1 late at night (1:24 AM). Appropriate utilization could help both hub areas.
• Instead of forcing Coram residents to drive to Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson stations, LIRR should open up more eastern stations (near Riverhead). It will clear up eastern highway congestion.
• LIRR Republic station should be reopened.
• Message for Susan McGovern of LIRR: Next year, when are the deckers coming? Are we going to have new schedules with the deckers?
• Closed Copiague Ticketmaster at LIRR. New project to improve parking. Why improve parking if you’ve justified losing staff?
• How come the LIRR has closed 13 stations? LIRR has discussed freight traffic for a long time. Upgrading the LIRR facilities would allow an intermodal terminal to be built on L.I.
• Watched Town Meeting on WLIW and regarding the suggestion to extend RR on northern division from Port Jefferson out to Wading River using an old freight line, that’s a great suggestion because there’s poor track service on northern end of L.I. Rather than build a new highways, let’s build new tracks. But my idea is that the Port Jefferson line is too twisty turney and should branch it off from main line in Medford and run it up to Shoreham/Wading River area, where you can’t travel. It would serve area in northern section, wouldn’t have to build new roads and allow people to travel to NYC much easier.
• When I pass Mineola, I noticed work on the new bridge. Hope we’re not going to cut and paste the tracks. It will delay the trains. We haven’t changed that much. The great thing about the LIRR is that the tracks are straight away. If we have twists and turns, it’ll slow down the commute. One bridge there to accommodate the road there is okay. Hopes they will not cut and paste. Should try to make the ride as quick as possible to go into the City.

3. MONORAILS

• Catch up with the rest of the world-build a monorail. Otherwise, we are kidding ourselves.
• Build a monorail system over the LIRR with a central location for drop-off and pick-up.
• Finish monorail from Rockaway line to JFK.
• There’s lots of congestion. A monorail like Florida’s should be tried around the mall areas (if it’s feasible). Please consider it.
• Route 110 should have a monorail due to heavy traffic.

4. HOV/CARPOOLING/ALTERNATIVE COMMUTING OPTIONS

• HOV idea is the worst idea in the world. Why not just let everyone use all the lanes.
• I resent being told that I should carpool or can only drive in certain lanes.
• Recently stuck in rush hour traffic. We need more lanes. HOV doesn’t work. Everyone doesn’t go the same way. I wrote to my congresswomen. Said the two lanes that have been built should be used appropriately. Use two lanes west in the morning and two lanes east in the evening.
• Favors carpools.
• Need 5 lanes on LIE instead of 4 lanes & 1 HOV monstrosity.
• Southern State Parkway should be widened with an extra lane without it being devoted to HOV.
• No HOV lanes: as a taxpayer, we’ve paid for this lane so we should be able to use them at all times.
• I’m being unfairly charged $60 per month for E-Z Pass whether I use it or not.
• Auto insurance companies should fund driver’s education classes since they’re profiting from driving conditions.
• The solution is what they do in California-Employee Commuter Options (ECO); telecommuting - remote work locations closer to where they live. This would help congestion and pollution problems, as well as health issues.
• Construction should be done all at once. By doing HOV lane on LIE piece meal created bottlenecks as each section is done.
• Hours that the HOV lanes are open to everyone is not clear.
• Why doesn’t MTA itself strive for more 4-day workweeks? TW Local 100 has asked for this in many contracts over the years. They never seem to want to waiver and try to abide by this. A lot of city workers live on L.I. Many people would be very happy to work 4 days and save themselves a lot of money. Would save roads a lot of congestion.
• Can’t believe we’re spending piles and piles of money on HOV lanes and apparently has not done a lot to reduce congestion here.
• Incentive plan to car pool is a great idea. Drivers need to see a monetary return to change their habits. However, it should be up to NY State to provide incentives, not employers, since they shouldn’t have to pay for their employees to get to work on time. One idea is to build toll booths every few exits on the major highways and have booth operators count how many people in each car. For every receipt which proves you carpooled, you get a tax credit for tolls, gas and vehicle maintenance.
• HOV is supposed to go all the way to William Floyd Parkway and also HOV is supposed to go westbound to the City. These were never mentioned in the broadcast.
• The HOV lanes are poorly designed, it can be better designed to make it more efficient like they do in other states. To get into that lane and out of that lane is a very difficult situation here on L.I. I believe that’s what caused that accident a couple of years ago with a tanker - when a car tried to get out of the HOV lane and cut across the other lanes to get out of my exit. But if you go down to other parts of the country, its easy to get in and out of lane, not like they do it here in NY. I think you should rethink and redesign on how to make it easier to get in and out of HOV lane. To get in, just cross the line but you’d better have 2 or 3 people in the car - that’s NOT the way to do it. If you need to get out, just cross the line and get out at your exit, like they do in Baltimore.
• I do not see the HOV as the answer to all problems.
• The cars on the road should be reduced. We don’t want to expand highways. Cars are an environmental issue. That’s what HOV lanes are for-trying to encourage carpooling. We shouldn’t expand roads. If it becomes more uncomfortable to go by car then people will go to mass transit. But we should make it easier to go to mass transit. But roads going to mass transit should be plowed first so people can get to them, in the winter time.
• Why isn’t the Long Island Blood Service van allowed to travel in the HOV lane? Traffic congestion is stopping emergency services.

5. TRAFFIC LIGHTS (including synchronization & comments on specific intersections)

• Intersection at Hempstead Turnpike and Dunkin Road in Uniondale, where Hofstra’s Day Care Center is located is a very dangerous corner-poor planning, resulting in one or more accidents per week. It is dangerous for children and needs to be taken care of.
• Got into an accident on 10/31/97 at the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and MacArthur Road in Huntington. I got hit because there’s no stop light or sign at the intersection. Wants something done, too many accidents each week. Can call 2^nd Police Precinct in Huntington, they can vouch for the number of accidents that happen here. Something should be done before someone gets killed.
• Why do we always get more stop signs and traffic lights and never ever seem to get a bridge, overpass or cloverleaf? Why are stop signs installed at anyone’s beck and call or on a whim, especially on back roads where people tend to speed and stop signs are put up to hope people will not speed. I challenge you to find anyplace on L.I., three traffic lights that work in harmony with each other to help you get to where you’re going to rather than turning to red when you come to them.
• Recommend synchronization of traffic lights.
• Need synchronization of lights in Deer Park Avenue where it goes into Route 231. Going south to north on Old Deer Park Avenue, there is a long traffic light where this road turns into Deer Park Avenue. When light changes, you go just a short distance and get stuck at the next light which just turns red. Something with the next light. Congestion is terrible in this area because of the timing of the lights.
• Lights on Sunrise Highway from Amityville to City Line should be synchronized and not allow side road traffic to stop the flow. Roads from Baltimore to Washington (Rte. 29) has traffic . Electronic signs tell you what the lights are synchronized for. Traveled 15-20 miles on this road without stopping for a light. Similar to Sunrise Highway with stores and shopping centers on both sides. Easy plan to implement and move traffic.
• Complaint about intersection of Vets Highway and Jericho Turnpike. Just put up new stores in area and ever since traffic has gotten three times as bad. The problem is that when traveling west on Jericho Turnpike to Commack Road, the lights are not in synch. Takes 20 minutes to travel 1/8 of a mile. Therefore, people start making dangerous maneuvers to get through traffic. No construction needs to be done, just lights need to be in synch so cars on Jericho Turnpike have decent amount of time to get through green light. Can see this at peak traffic hours and on weekends.

6. BICYCLE TRAVEL

• Please make more bike paths.
• On program someone was seriously promoting bicycle riding. Unrealistic, out of his mind. Distances are too great. Senior Citizens - fastest growing segment on L.I. Can’t see them doing a lot of pedaling on bikes.

7. TOLLS

• Incentive plan to car pool is a great idea. Drivers need to see a monetary return to change their habits. However, it should be NY State to provide incentives, not employers, since they shouldn’t have to pay for their employees to get to work on time. One idea is to build toll booths every few exits on the major highways and have booth operators count how many people in each car. For every receipt which proves you carpooled, you get a tax credit for tolls, gas and vehicle maintenance.
• Issue of tolls-they shouldn’t discount tolls going to the city. We should discourage people to take cars. If mass transit becomes a cheaper alternative than driving, people will use it.

8. AIRPORT ACCESS

• Long Island has weak access to airports, like JFK. Heard talk about monorail. Thinks this would be a waste of time. Two lines of LIRR have legs that branch down to Babylon RR line; which are Locust Manor & St. Albans/Rosedale. These two lines could be patched into airport. Leg coming down to Jamaica right into Kennedy, not real expensive to do this.

9. FREIGHT/CARGO (Including accessibility of roadways to trucks)

• Use airports for freight and have a central location for truck pick-ups.
• Get rid of trucks on highways.
• AAA will not send trucks on certain parkways out east (but will reimburse the driver to pay for another company to tow). Can the state allow them on these roads?
• Would like to see more freight moved on LIRR.
• Construction of a freight tunnel into NYC which would accommodate piggy-back trains so that 16 wheelers can be put aboard trains going out of the city. Would allow LI to have heavier industry on the island.
• LIRR has discussed freight traffic for a long time. Upgrading the LIRR facilities would allow an intermodal terminal to be built on L.I. Cost of goods on L.I. is higher because freight has to be moved through NYC.
• Why are trucks not mandated to drive in the right lane? They hold up traffic.

10. TUNNELS/BRIDGES

• Build bridge to Rye, NY.
• Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway should continue to the Long Island Sound (and then maybe to Connecticut).
• Bridge over road causes backs up when traffic enters from LIE.
• When you get onto Meadowbrook Parkway, (from SSP) there is a bridge. Should build a tunnel like they did in Queens area of LIE to make it wider. Would allow cars getting on MSP to go further up the MSP about two miles and give them a longer ramp to get on. Would eliminate traffic on SS every morning.
• Why can’t we have tunnels beneath parkways - SSP, NSP, LIE - could have a subway tunnel taking people east and west.

11. SPECIAL TRAVEL/FERRIES

• Concerned about transit, especially for disabled. There are no buses in the area-more buses are needed with better schedules.
• Senior Citizens - fastest growing segment on L.I.
• Would like to see some sort of subsidized round-the-clock transportation on the LI Ferries (Port Jefferson & Orient Point) so that a person missing the last ferry at night does not get stuck at either end. Some kind of red-eye express going between midnight and 4:00 a.m. to accommodate people who are at either end.

12. TRAFFIC CONGESTION (Including road maintenance)

• State should take over homes along the service roads. Other states do not allow trucks on service roads. Very hazardous to residents living along the service roads. Said a car went into a house in my area.
• 0where there’s a church, school and 100 residential homes (traffic to and from LIE).
• We don’t need all of the shopping centers. Widen roads where the shopping centers are and it will ease the traffic.
• Bababooi- I would like to let you know that the entire L.I. system of roads, especially the L.I. Parkway, where you park your car on it, the L.I. Freakin’ Parkway, the L.I. Expressway is the worst piece of work I have ever, ever driven in my life. They should tear it up and shove it somewhere. It is the worst road I have - UCK! - traffic every day, back and forth, it doesn’t move anywhere, it doesn’t go anywhere, it is the worst piece of construction. And the HOV lane, don’t get me started - Bababooi says you should listen to Howard Stern, Bababooi…Bababooi
• Why does it take forever to build the Sunrise Highway in the Oakdale area? When will it open up?
• What work will be done on the Southern State Parkway? It should be expanded to 4 lanes like on north-shore highways. More focus on south-shore is necessary. However, lanes are already wide enough around Massapequa.
• Traffic moves too fast, safety issue.
• The LIRR at Hicksville Stations-terrible at this location. Heading north on Newbridge Road, must make a left turn and drop people off. Advised that can’t pick up or drop off on the south side of road. Congestion backs up across Newbridge Road. Someday there will be bloodshed, "Road Rage."
• Suggestion for traffic safety on SSP getting onto Meadowbrook Parkway North from the east. Cut two lanes off Southern State prior to the exit and have two lanes going onto Meadowbrook Parkway for at least 1-1_ miles. Would greatly increase traffic flow on SS and ease congestion on Meadowbrook Parkway.
• When you get to Meadowbrook Parkway North from Southern State, every morning traffic is backed up. When you get onto Meadowbrook Parkway, there is a bridge. Should build a tunnel like they did in Queens area of LIE to make it wider. Would allow cars getting on MSP to go further up the MSP about two miles and give them a longer ramp to get on. Would eliminate traffic on SS every morning. Coming home on SS going westbound, where old toll booth was, there are four lanes and then further up, goes to three. Why do they need four lanes? Go back to having three lanes and alleviate problem of cars in fourth lane trying to get back into lane. Sees people stopping to allow cars to enter parkway. Rule is to stay right on parkways. During rush hour, should have signs saying to use center and left lanes to allow oncoming cars to get on parkway. Leave right lane for entering and exiting. Cars are going 50 mph and jamming on brakes to allow someone to enter parkway. Would really like to sit down with someone to discuss the problems.
• Driver Training - retest people so they’ll know how to drive better on the roads to ease traffic flow.
• Shoulder lane on LIE between Old Nichols Road and Exit 61 isn’t open until 4:00 PM and HOV restricted from 3:00 PM. When you come down from Sagtikos, overhead signs always say the same message, Delays on LIE 56 and 57. Anytime after 3:00 you get this message. Open up the shoulder lane at 3:00 PM before the back up. They wait until 4:00 before you can get into shoulder lane and then its backed up.
• LIE should have a ramp between exits 39-40 (around Post Road).
• Extend on-and off-ramps on major highways. Also, allow only people getting on and off to be in the right lane.
• I’d like to see improvements in large on 1 or 2 major highways, like LIE or NSP. Keep the Island as simple as possible. Make LIE full stretch.
• Look at specific exit and entrance ramps that cause problems. Even with changes being made on NSP in Westbury. Heading eastbound, there’s a ramp that comes off LIE between 106/107 and SOBR, lane causes back ups that sometimes go back to Brush Hollow Road. Even with 3^rd lane on the WSP, we’re just moving the traffic jam down further about 2 miles. Other ramp needs to be addressed. Make it a little wider. One example, bridge over road causes backs up when traffic enters from LIE.
• At the intersection of Clinton Avenue and Stewart Avenue in Garden City, there are no turning lanes on Clinton Ave. Causes a lot of congestion in this area.
• Unable to see broadcast but core problem of congestion is population density of L.I., which must be addressed. Avoid town house developments, multiple-family houses; removal of renters would help and be careful with zoning.
• Ticket slow drivers in middle lanes-will reduce congestion.
• Roads need to be well-maintained. Traffic is caused by improperly maintained roadways.
• Have a means of having regular commuters fill out a survey, perhaps through Newsday where people could send in information about specific area, ‘hotspots.’ Thinks if we clear up ‘hotspots,’ traffic would flow a lot better. This is the biggest problem on Long Island.

13. COMMENTS ABOUT THE LITP 2000 STUDY

• Need transportation very badly. There is no transportation in the Syosset area at all.
• As a person living on Lon Island, would really like to know why this information is also printed in Spanish, and not just English. English is the language of the United States and of Long Island. Until such time that we get it straight that only English should be spoken, then I will have nothing to do with this. I would like to see some information in English only.
• Commented about how bad the Spanish translation was on the flyer. Not good grammar and not good Spanish.
• Why was show on Channel 21? They don’t get that channel.
• Why is this message in Spanish? What happened to the American way? Can’t believe you sent out a message in Spanish. We’re Americans.
• Will meeting be in English or Spanish? Pamphlet - English is O.K. but Spanish is terrible. Bi-lingual?
• We need an island-wide commission to encompass all the organizations (State, Federal, County, Town and Municipality). Everyone seems to have their own agenda. Single voice whose goal is to get traffic moving and not to stop things. Seems like everyone has their own way of doing things. Need to work together.
• Regarding flyer about ETM, was ticked off when pulled out of paper and couldn’t read it. It was written in Spanish. Could’ve saved a lot of money by just putting it in English and not in Spanish. How about the Germans, the Hungarians, the Polish, the Russians and the eight other Asian ethnic groups that would’ve liked to read it but can’t because don’t understand English, but you’re catering to one ethnic group. That’s a no-no in my eyes.
• I’d like to suggest that you use your web page as an input for information instead of using a recording machine. It might prove more useful and more user-friendly.
• Participated in the teleconference at Best Western. Thought it was a good idea but doesn’t think the experts were addressing the issues. Some important issues were not discussed. Seemed to only deal with superficial items.
• Thinks LITP is a great plan!
• Responded to the web site and got no response. I hope I can get through this time. Maybe you’re not so interested in getting feedback from citizens who do have an unusual interest in this. Wants to hear about meetings and get more involved with this.