News Release

Halloween Protest Held on Proposed Transit Service Cuts
Group Hands Out “Shmutz-ie Rolls;” “Good and Dirty” Candies; “Elevator Savers;“ and “They Must Think We’re From Mars” Bars

The NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign today trick-or-treated the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to protest proposed cuts in subway and bus service, including reductions in subway and bus cleaning and maintenance and in subway elevator operators.

At the board meeting, anti-service cut protestors wore masks depicting upset transit riders screaming “Service Cuts!?” They also handed out Halloween treats to poke fun at the cuts, including “Shmutz-ie Rolls,” “Good & Dirty” candies, rolls of “Elevator Savers”, and “They Must Think We’re From Mars” bars.

“The service cuts are scary, putting subway and bus safety, reliability and convenience at risk,” said Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign.

Russianoff noted that among the $129.3 million in proposed reductions in 2003 and 2004 were cuts in: cleaning subway cars, stations, track beds and buses; maintaining infrastructure and signals; inspecting subway cars and overhauling buses; painting bus stops; cuts in subway elevator operators; and removing graffiti. (A detailed list of the reductions is attached.)

“We are particularly concerned about the cleaning reductions, since cuts in 1994 yielded a major increase in dirty subways,” said Neysa Pranger, campaign coordinator. “This trend only turned around when cleaners were restored in the late 1990’s.”

“Cutting elevator operators is an unacceptable reduction in safety and security for thousands of New Yorkers using the subways in Northern Manhattan,” said State Senator Eric Schneiderman, “It is absolutely unacceptable that we should suffer the loss of essential elevator operators. The MTA promised us no service reductions if they got a fare increase ­ and they did, of 33%! This is particularly bad service cut because in eliminating the eyes and ears of MTA workers, opportunities for criminal activity will arise, compromising the safety of subway riders and the community of Northern Manhattan,” said City Councilman Robert Jackson.

The Straphangers Campaign noted that in approving a 50-cent fare increase last March, MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow had said: “Today’s financial plan addresses the overriding concerns of our customers. Š. They were clear in terms of not wanting to see any service cuts. There are none.”

“Will MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow make good on his pledge of no service cuts?” asked Russianoff, noting the MTA will approve New York City Transit’s budget by December.

Pranger noted some transit officials had claimed the cuts would not harm service. “That’s why we are handing out “They Must Think We’re From Mars” bars.”

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- List of Proposed Cuts
- SC Testimony on Service Cuts
- AM New York Column on Elevator Cuts
- Halloween Board Protest News Release on Service Cuts
- New York Times article

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www.straphangers.org | www.nypirg.org