Results tagged “servicecut”

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."

Since state lawmakers have recessed for Passover & Easter break without a deal for helping the MTA, the MTA has released the timetable for the approved fare hikes and service reductions, which range from 25% higher subway, bus and rail fares to eliminating bus lines. MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin tells the Daily News, "While we continue to hope that Albany will reach agreement on a comprehensive plan for the MTA, we have no choice but to move toward implementation of these cuts and fare increases."

The Daily News reveals one person close to MTA CEO and executive director Elliot Sander who is no fan of the agency's proposed service cuts: His 15-year-old daughter Bria, who is a fan of the Q76 and Q79 weekend service, "to get to school plays, test prep classes and, of course, to meet friends and go shopping." Bria said, "I told him he shouldn't do it," and responding to her dad's explanation that he needs to balance the budget under law, "Whatever. He should just get the money for it. It's a big commuter system. It's cheap and it's good for the environment to ride the bus." Sing it sister! A number of bus routes will be cut or have their service reduced (for one, there's a Save the M8 campaign). The young Sander added, "The Legislature and governor should think about students who have to go to things on weekends."

The MTA is meeting today to discuss its $1.2 billion budget gap. While the agency refuses to comment on any specific measures until next month, big fare hikes and service cuts are expected. Today, the Daily News reports that the M8 bus, which travels across the East Village and West Village is eliminated, according to a budget proposal, as well as some express bus routes (the QM22, X25, and X32). One thing that could help the MTA is state intervention, but the state has its own budget crisis. And while some City Council members want to bring back the commuter tax-- Michael Nelson said, "In Brooklynese, basically, we was robbed about nine years ago" (the tax was repealed in 1999)--naturally suburban legislators hate the idea.