Legislators Sound Hopeful on Eleventh Hour MTA Bailout

Photo Courtesy AP/Mike Groll

After a week in which any bailout plans out of Albany flopped and the MTA finally made official its proposal for a fare hike and service cuts, legislators are finally sounding like they are close to a deal that will alleviate the strain put on straphangers. The long-discussed raising of driver registration fees and MTA payroll tax are likely to be central to any plan to avoid the proposed $103 monthly Metrocard. Senate Leader Malcolm Smith says that "all options are on the table."

After a passionate response from commuters following the MTA's announcement earlier this week, it sounds as if Governor Paterson might be most desperate to see a deal worked out. Paterson told reporters yesterday, "We are now on the verge of service cuts and fare hikes that are life-threatening and with a situation like that everything is on the table."

While a deal would not come within the state budget that's due Tuesday, Smith sounded confident that the bailout would not be far behind. He said, "Based on the conversations we've had of late, I think it won't be in the budget bill but I think we'll be passing it around the same time."

How big of a dent state money could make in softening the fare hike blow remains to be seen. Chariman Dale Hemmerdinger summed up the agency's position succinctly yesterday saying, "We don't have any religious belief in a particular plan. We just need the money."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Billy Parker in News on March 28, 2009 1:50 PM

Comments [rss]

rcltrh

So how much is that payroll tax for the MTA going to hit us? More than the fare hike would have been? Crooks. Just wait- there will be MTA bonuses handed out this year before its all over.

Barnard

If it wasn't for State Senators Carl Kruger, Ruben Diaz, Sr., Pedro Espada, Jr., and Hiram Monserrate the MTA problems would've been solved two weeks ago, fares would've barely gone up and service would not be slashed.

Remember folks, there's two issues on the table here:

1) The fare

2) Service

Albany could save the fare and still slash service. Right now, in addition to the fare hike, the MTA is planning on eliminating two dozen bus lines (not reducing service; totally getting rid of them) and two subway lines AND reducing service everywhere else.

Weeks ago, the Governor and the Assembly were ready to pass the funding plan created by Dick Ravitch (the same Dick Ravitch who saved the subway system from collapse in the 1980s), but the state senate balked because Malcolm Smith is hapless and Carl Kruger, Ruben Diaz, Sr., Pedro Espada, Jr., and Hiram Monserrate are too selfish and disconnected from their constituents to know what's good for the 8,000,000 people who take the subways and buses everyday.

All I have to say is that if you live in Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hunts Point, Tremont, Jackson Heights or Corona, don't vote for any of these guys. They don't represent you.

p.s. Don't miss the other story about Monserrate:

http://gothamist.com/2009/03/28/monserrate_pleads_not_guilty_to_gir.php

Steven

Even if Albany magically gives the MTA money (they are not anyway) fares are still going up. Not as steep, but still..

Nansen

When the MTA is still losing money in 8 months? 11 months? 14 months? fares will rise anyway. Next story....

Think2wice

Albany pretty much past the 11th hour. And for every moment that passes the MTA is preparing the fare collecting systems for the hike. That alone costs money.

All this because of three greedy, obstructionist homophobes.