Judge Terry Hatter

* Re “Judge Rejects MTA Request to Overturn Order to Buy Buses,” July 21: I am outraged at the comment of Judge Terry Hatter that libels the MTA as being “on the same side as ‘former segregationists’ challenging the authority of the federal courts.” Has he forgotten that the MTA is made up of people who ensure that the buses and trains function well every day?

In attempting to tarnish the image of the MTA he has instead besmirched the reputation of thousands of hard-working, committed employees--a diverse population of people who also use the buses and trains for transportation. These are people who endure all kinds of insults every day, but this characterization is going too far.

MARILYN M. MORTON

ADA Compliance Officer

Manager, Public Affairs,

Construction, MTA

*

Shirley M. Hufstedler argues on behalf of the MTA status quo, but it is unlikely that she knows how bad bus riding can be. How many MTA lawyers, commissioners and executives ride to work through the city? Do they experience waiting for and then watching an overcrowded bus that shoots past a designated stop? Have they stood in a crowded bus and held on for a 30-minute trip? For a real experience, try the rush hour going home. Exactly which quantifiable performance objectives for improved bus service have been met and which have not? How do we know the level of service?

On a positive note, MTA dares to try moving thousands of people each day and eventually we riders do get where we’re going, sometimes in worse shape but sometimes in better. The drivers, for one, seem to be doing more with what they have to use.

CARVEL H. BASS

Highland Park