Doomsday Extreme: MTA May Plan 2nd Fare Hike

Photograph by urbanlatinfemale

With news of another $621 million shortfall beyond an expected $1.2 billion deficit, the MTA is considering ways to deal with its troubled financial situation since the State Legislature (really, the State Senate) has been slow to agree on any sort of rescue plan. There may very well be another fare hike after the doomsday fare hike and service cuts that go into effect on May 31. It's so bad that MTA CEO and Executive Director Elliot Sander said he might even consider shutting down overnight subway service to save money: "I would not take anything off the table. [However] There have been reasons historically why that was not done and it may be that those reasons still exist."

Sander did not tread lightly when discussing the additional shortfall: "Having said what we did before was doomsday, this is even worse. The next ones that we will be looking at are that much more painful..... I'm not sure the English language captures what goes beyond doomsday but to me...as a transit professional as a citizen and user of this system they are just unbelievably difficult and I think some would view them as horrific." And MTA Chairman Dale Hemmerdinger slammed Albany for its inaction, "The time for action has come and as of today, gone. At this point today, there is no tomorrow. There is no next week, there is no next month to fall back on."

Governor Paterson, however, was optimistic—and he says he has another proposal! He said yesterday, "I will be talking to the leaders about yet another new idea that I have...Hopefully, that will end this process ... it all depends on the ability of legislators to come together and recognize there has to be a compromise and I would hope that if any entire conference votes against the plan that would not be politically motivated." Um, good luck with that.

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By Jen Chung in News on April 30, 2009 10:46 AM

Comments [rss]

inoyourider

Fuck the MTA.

What a pathetic organization.

NannyState

So go ahead, MTA, make it $10 and be done with it. And go bankrupt, default on all of the bonds and become a ward of the federal government because the State of NY is right behind you. We all know where this astounding and profound negligence and mismanagement leads, so spare us all the suspense and just kill yourselves already.

thelegendofzaku

Guys, I think you can stop wishing for a miracle at this point. Since Albany's pretty much done for the week and won't reconvene until Monday, we can definitively determine that Doomsday play is a go, regardless of any plan passing through by then. So yeah, better start saving up for the inevitable.

Also, if MTA wants to essentially nix overnight service, they should do what Tokyo already does regarding this situation: keep bars open 'till 5AM, or else you'll have the hours of 1AM - 5AM as a dangerous time for drunks roaming the streets terrorizing the public and over-stressing the police. God I feel with every passing day that we should secede from the state so badly since Albany's not doing jack shit to help us one bit.

Qraymond

This is the first interesting discussion here in a while. All I will add is this:

"STATE SENATE, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER OR START WORKING ON YOUR RESUMES."

drewo

It can't be simply rebuilt - the subways and infrastructure are over 100 years old and crumbing. And the city is burdened with paying out pensions and healthcare costs to thousand and thousands of retired public workers, who will be collecting for decades. The tax roll will continue to decline as people and business leave the city. New York had a nice makeover in the 90's, but that party is over.

Look South or West to our country's younger cities - they are better equipped to face the challenges of this century.

abcohen

and even more to the point how did London and Paris - redo the subway system there? arent they MAJOR Cities as well? its a joke to think NYC couldnt get it done!

abcohen

Yes, you can rebuild - but it does mean changing for the short term... remember a generation ago there was trolley cars on 6th ave on to have GM come in a pay many people off to buy into the bus idea... I wonder if we went the wrong way?

as we add all these new bike lines (isnt that a form of rebirth?) so thats the left lanes - why cant we add trolley cars on the right lanes and only give taxis/cars two lanes of traffic?

from your point of view isnt it past time to go look for work and move? my point of view is that a city is a living, breathing place... sometimes you need to look long term and say we're going to shut down a station so we can do a major improvement (PATH station @ World Trade).

Its just past time to look at how and were we can start! and there is plenty that we could do - I hear the land lease for the park on 92 and 3rd is up - guess what I wouldnt allow that park to be turned into a high raise... I'd keep it a park forever! I'd start to look at using corporations like verizon and at&t who would give their left hand to wire up the subway system to do so and take that money to offset the difference... hell you could even tie their hands by saying you need to use MTA staff/unions to do the work along side their people!

sasso

remember a few years ago at christmas time when the MTA had a surplus somehow and instead of saving that money or investing it or whatever, they 'rewarded' new yorkers with free rides on a weekend or something like that?

or am i imagining that?

i remember thinking then that it was a really stupid waste of money that did absolutely nothing for the long term. little did i realize just how retarded the folks running that ship are.

before long, we'll all be loving our new, shiny $200/month unlimited metrocards.

MrCow

TOLL THE FUCKING BRIDGES.

drewo

New York City has jumped the shark.

abcohen

between the decay of the education system and the public transportation network - it really could have...

but the amazing thing about a city like this - is that it can simply always be rebuilt and renewed!

CubanB

Inspiring...

pinball29

Until the MTA is audited by a private, non-government (esp Albany based) firm to see where all the money is going, fares should not be raised one dime. All construction contracts, all shady deals, all salaries and perks, everything should be open to inspection and put in the public record. Otherwise, they will ALWAYS claim they have no money and will always ask for more, while stealing every dime they can get their hands on.

Ditto w/ the New York/New Jersey/Tony Soprano Port Authority.

pete

Theres nothing illegal with a $100000 salary from the MTA. If you tell union works to work faster instead of chit chatting about the weather, they will walk off the job for OSHA violations.

citizenerased

Charge fat people more!!!!!!!!!!!!!

contrabalance

Damn Right.

brandonz

"i mean, fuck driving and all but the round robin of peter getting jacked for paul ignores the financial blackhole that is public transportation, especially with these mta jackholes at the wheel."

Highways and roads and bridges are also a financial black hole.

GoToHell

Yes toll the fucking bridges and institute congestion pricing NOW NOW NOW NOW. I've supported both from day one and as for residential parking permits, that's a good Idea too.

dhex

"People are numbnuts for driving into the city for 'convenience' or no hassle w/ public transportation. They should pay for that "convenience" just like people paying super high rent $$ for living in the city..."

you could flip that around and say people riding the subway and busses rely heavily on state funding and should pay more for the privilege of having public transportation.it's just a matter of picking which "privilege" or "convenience" you want to punish.

i mean, fuck driving and all but the round robin of peter getting jacked for paul ignores the financial blackhole that is public transportation, especially with these mta jackholes at the wheel. (as it were)