(The Associated Press circulated the following story on May 23.)
NEW YORK — Metropolitan Transportation Authority chief Peter Kalikow used a tale of bathroom woe to argue that rolling back the fare hike might provide immediate relief, but could cost more later.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting of the West Side Chamber of Commerce, Kalikow told business leaders that as a boy in Russia, his grandfather once found himself bundled up in a snowstorm with no bathroom in sight.
He decided to “just go,” and “the urge was now gratified,” but he faced discomfort later when his wet clothing froze, Kalikow said.
“We could pee in our pants now, roll the fare back and everyone will feel great … but we’re going to face it again next year, guys,” he said.
Andrew Albert, the executive director of the West Side Chamber of Commerce and a nonvoting MTA board member, said business leaders at the breakfast did not take offense to Kalikow’s remarks.
On Wednesday, a commuter group failed to get an appeals court to let stand a judge’s decision that ordered the MTA to roll back the subway, bus and suburban increases by May 28.
The group, the Straphangers Campaign, has argued that the MTA held public hearings based on misleading financial information.