Miller, the MTA's labor relations director, told the Mediation Board in Washington, D.C., that the independent panel appeared to have adopted the view of one of the union's expert witnesses that "in essence, these raises should come out of the pockets" of riders. During the hearings, that expert, Tom Roth, said: "The passengers have had a good run at the MTA, and it is about time the fares went up," according to Miller's testimony.