The preliminary 2009 budget that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will unveil Tuesday would raise fare and toll revenues by $200 million, or 8%, the official said. The size of the proposed fare hike could be even higher if the MTA does not get increased annual state and city funding, including:Full reimbursement by the state and city for student travel on subways and buses: $90 million.
Approximately $110 million in additional state tax disbursements.The MTA also wants city, state and county governments to pay to use bridges and tunnels.
The Daily News reported last month that hundreds of thousands of free trips - many by law enforcement agencies like the NYPD - are granted each month.
“It seems like they are asking for a lot of the right stuff,” Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign said.
The MTA last year forecast a 2009 budget gap of $216 million. It has set a goal of trimming spending by 6% over four years. Rising fuel costs and declining revenues from some key taxes have combined to create an additional $700 million hole in the operating budget. The MTA also has sky-high debt payments on borrowing incurred in large part because of inadequate state funding during the Pataki administration, transit officials have said.
On another front, the MTA has proposed cutting its construction and maintenance by $2.7 billion.
“The chickens are coming home to roost,” Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester) said.
“This is a problem so big it’s going to force cooperation.”
A panel appointed by Gov. Paterson late this year and headed by former MTA Chairman Richard Ravitch is to recommend funding solutions for the MTA. If the state and city governments act, there’s the possibility that riders could get a reprieve. If not, more severe hikes and service cuts are possible.
Mayor Bloomberg’s spokesman Stu Loeser said the city can’t increase subsidies but is looking forward to the Ravitch panel’s report.
NYC Transit reported Monday that subway on-time performance for the year ending in May was 92%, down from 93.6% in the previous 12-month period.
SOURCE
Send tips, upcoming events and recap information to:
