Transit Cuts to Affect Over 1 Million New Yorkers Weekly

If the MTA's service cuts announced earlier this week do in fact go into effect, 1.3 million New Yorkers will be affected by the changes. During the press conference Thursday, MTA heads Elliot Sander and Dale Hemmerdinger encouraged straphangers to contact their reps in Albany as a last resort to bail out their 1.2 billion deficit. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver must have heard the call because yesterday he suggested a tax to help alleviate the burden on the MTA saying, "I am not afraid of a reasonable, responsible tax being part of the solution." The only additional good news following the announcement of cuts is that with the W train gone, plans are to extend the Q to Astoria.

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By Billy Parker in News on November 22, 2008 4:52 PM

Comments [rss]

inoyourider

F the MTA and their greedy, incompetent management

kissel

btw, the will always threaten the public with a doomsday scenario so they can push their fare hikes and tax increases through -- this has been their MO for years and years now. it's a dont look at how bad we run things, look at how bad we can make it for you if you dont cough up more money scenario over and over.

kissel

They should automate most of the system and get rid of all the useless employees. Besides the actual trackworders who maintain the system, no one else is really necessary, including the conductors, station agents, administration. They should have it completely automated and then have NYPD patrol the stations which would actually increase safety. Most of the MTA's cost is salaries, pensions, etc. None of which do any of the riding public any good.

scubes

Bring back Congestion Pricing - have it pay for the MTA - Inconveniencing people that drive is much better then cutting service for those who cant afford price increases and take mass transit.

ianmac47

"I am not afraid of a reasonable, responsible tax being part of the solution."

Funny thing about that, congestion pricing was reasonable and responsible.

leepresson

"1.3 million riders would be affected" you mean like the service cuts that occur every weekend?

Just TRY getting from Bensonhurst to Manhattan today or tomorrow. Ugh!

hanuman

A tax? So take money out of everyone's pocket to bail out the ineptitude of the MTA? That's a terrible idea, and it's a terrible idea for anyone to bail out the MTA. They need to get their house in order.

nivek

Get rid of all of MTA management down to maybe two levels above the union workers and install people from private rail companies in Asia. That would help tremendously.

AHT

A tax? That's the best Silver can come up with, after killing congestion pricing?

PKinNYC

THE MTA SUCKS...ALBANY WILL NOT BAIL THEM OUT...THE $$$ WASTERS AT THE MTA PUT US IN THIS MESS...WITH THEIR LOFTY SALARIES AND "NON WORKING" WORKERS. BUY A BIKE NOW AND GET USED TO RIDING IT.