Members of the Rockland County Legislature met with county officials Wednesday night to discuss the proposal of withdrawing from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

It is estimated that less than 1 percent of Rockland County residents use the New Jersey Transit line, yet Rockland pays $88 million a year for the service. Legislator Ed Day (R) believes it is time to find an alternative train carrier.

"We can't automatically withdraw," Day says. "What I'm saying is the money we're paying the MTA and the lack of value we're getting back...you would have to be crazy not looking into contracting out for our own services."

This year, the MTA proposed a new mobility tax, which will charge the employees of all Rockland businesses 34 cents for every $100, giving the MTA another $18 million a year.

Some local residents say that the county has a chance to get rid of the MTA, while others believe the transportation agency is here to stay.

"There's always hope, but it hasn't happened in the past," says Bob Hoyt, of Pearl River. "I think it's a big move, and I don't think we're going to do it."

A withdrawal from the MTA by Rockland would have to be approved by both the governor of New York and the State Legislature.