PFABBS’ RESPONSE TO STATE COMPTROLLER HEVESI’ S INVESTIGATIVE AUDIT INTO THE TRANSIT CENTE

People for a Better Bus System, or PFABBS (formerly known as People for a Better Bus Station) is grateful to NY State comptroller Alan Hevesi and his office regarding the investigative audit and subsequent report.

News Release: For Immediate Release

Contact: Sarah Brinklow
(585) 395-9245
pfabbs@frontiernet.net

PFABBS’ RESPONSE TO STATE COMPTROLLER HEVESI’ S INVESTIGATIVE AUDIT INTO THE TRANSIT CENTER PROJECT

ROCHESTER N.Y. - People for a Better Bus System, or PFABBS (formerly known as People for a Better Bus Station) is grateful to NY State comptroller Alan Hevesi and his office regarding the investigative audit and subsequent report as released today, March 29, 2004. We have already been in touch with Mr Hevesi’s office in Albany thanking him for bringing important questions to the table. Many questions have remained unanswered and PFABBS had every hope and confidence that Mr. Hevesi’s office would do a thorough and unbiased investigational audit following the news that the State comptrollers office would be holding various authorities accountable statewide. The office’s subsequently throrough report raises key questions to RGRTA and local government regarding the proposal. PFABBS agrees with the state comptrollers office and statement made by RGRTA “that sound planning for the transit project required that appropriate studies and analyses needed to be conducted in order to have provide adequate information for review by the Board of Commissioners.” Apparently some very legitimate concerns have been raised, as the audit has concluded that the proposed underground bus terminal is lacking in several planning areas.
Totally financed by the taxpayer, the project has been found to have been lacking in adequate study to determine even its best location, a topic that our group as well as the report has sought to clarify and substantiate or even its necessity, as well as something we have all been wondering, why RGRTA could not document reasons for some of the most basic fundamental decisions regarding the original proposal. We agree with Mr Hevesi’s office that the new project be better planned than the bus terminal proposal. To get into the mudslinging is ludicrous at this point. We need to put aside the political aspirations and really take a look at what Rochester needs to appear to be the progressive city we all know it is, and to do that is to really examine what we are really doing to downtown in terms of an awakening and pedestrian friendly city.
The underground bus station concept just isn’t viable in its planning or its purpose to make downtown revitalize as planned. Mr Hevesi is simply doing his job, and that is listening to the needs of the community and being a watchdog for the future of our county and city. The financial feasibility is a big concern of the group, and this would include cost of operations, and expected revenues, as well as whether the corner of North Clinton and East Main was the best site. All in all, we are quite pleased and trust that further public input and outcry is forthcoming as the average bus rider and citizen gets the facts into their hands.