A 12-year-old kid stole the show with his testimony at Thursday’s MTA board meeting — Zooming in to complain about LIRR station parking fees, chide the agency for releasing its board documents late and give leaders kudos for delaying fare hikes.
“Good day, MTA board members,” Suffolk County 7th grader Lukas Wolpiuk began during the public comment section.
“On Monday night I heard that the fares may not be increasing [and] the bridges and tunnels tolls would be increased. I hope that this means that unlimited-ride MetroCards are staying,” he continued.
“Anyways, I think they have made the right move. People will switch from driving to taking mass transit.”
Referencing hours of Zoom hearings held in December to collect public input on proposed bridge and toll hikes, he said: “I hope that you listen to what the traveling public talked about at last month’s public hearings.”
The transit-oriented tyke’s testimony also touched on toll discounts for Staten Island residents and the high cost of parking at the Long Island Rail Road’s Westbury station.
“If you look at how much this would cost if you rode the Long Island Rail Road every weekday, you would pay around $120,” he said.
“I think that there should be a monthly pass that would have a discount of $10 or $20.”
Wolpiuk also criticized officials for the “much later than usual” release of this month’s board meeting materials, and begged them to return to posting them the Friday beforehand.
The agency ultimately cut off the youth’s testimony at three minutes — as the young railfan was prescribing a shuttle bus solution to a recent delay-inducing incident on the LIRR’s Central Branch.
But Wolpiuk’s testimony received rave reviews from New York’s transit world.
“Highlight of my morning,” MTA Interim Transit President Sarah Feinberg posted on Twitter. “I gotta find that kid.”
Reached by phone later Thursday, Lukas told The Post he started watching MTA meetings in the past year, and finds time to watch during his lunch break and after school.
He testified Thursday “to stand up for what’s right,” he said.
“I just want transit to be fair for all riders,” he said. “I don’t think they should cut service. They should try to find ways of funding in different areas such as congestion charges and gas taxes.”
Wolpiuk’s proud mother later told The Post that Lukas has been transit-obsessed since he was a 1-year-old.
“It started when he was born and his grandma was taking him on the buses and trains and subways,” she said.
“He makes me ride, too. It’s not every weekend, but it’s a lot. He drags everybody around. Wherever he goes, he’s like, ‘Let’s go for a ride.’ He knows so much information about trains it’s not even funny.”
Marzena said she had previously testified to the board on her son’s behalf.
“I told him: next time, you do it,” she said.
Asked whether he wants to work for the MTA when he grows up, the middle schooler seemed to be aiming a little higher.
“Possibly,” he said. “Maybe Amtrak.”
