Public needs help from ombudsmen

To the editor:

I am writing to you concerning two separate issues which are in some way related:

A. Bx10 overcrowding and suggestions for a consumer bill of rights and a transportation ombudsman.

B. Interruptions in Verizon phone services.

The community has experienced serious service problems in both these areas and I feel that a sort of consumer’s bill of rights is needed to protect the consumer.

Subway and bus services are necessary and needed services in New York City. Passengers should be guaranteed at least a safe trip without severe overcrowding. They should be allowed to complain and file grievances against MTA, where there is a pattern of repeated violations and collect monetary damages in those instances where the MTA does not provide minimum service. 

Presently, phone service has been interrupted in parts of the Amalgamated Housing Cooperative. My Verizon phones, and phone services of other cooperators, have been interrupted repeatedly. I have contacted Verizon and have been told that a repairman would be out to my apartment on March 23, but no one ever came. On March 24, I called Verizon again and was told there was a “cable failure.” I was promised repairs would be complete by March 25 at 8 p.m. 

Verizon utilizes a computer menu, which is very difficult for many to navigate. It should have direct-to-human methods of easily notifying the company instead of complicated computer menus. Verizon has neither maintained an adequate level of service nor timely repairs. It was promised repairs, which it has not as yet delivered.

Consumers should be able to recover three days prorated cost for each day of service interruption, and phone companies should be assessed large fines for such performance.

I am angry at Verizon’s lack of service, as I am now unable to make or receive calls or to connect to the Internet. What if there is an emergency and I need to call 911? There used to be a payphone on the corner, but Verizon removed it. This is like a time warp to the 1870s. Maybe we’ll have to use semaphore or smoke signals to communicate.

Martin Kauffman