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Testimony of Gene Russianoff Staff
Attorney, NYPIRG STRAPHANGERS CAMPAIGN There’s a lot to talk about today. On fares: At $2, New York City would have the highest base transit fare in the nation*, with riders here paying 65% or more of the costs of running city subways and buses. The nationwide average is 40%. That’s just unfair. Governor George Pataki’s policies have fueled this whopping fare hike. For eight years, the Governor has starved the MTA for rebuilding funds, forcing the agency to borrow billions. Paying off these bonds is the single largest growing cost for the agency. Governor Pataki has also done nothing to change state aid formulas that shortchange city transit by $325 million a year. On fare policies: The Chairman’s proposal includes positive steps to make fare discounts more accessible to low- and moderate-income riders. These include replacing lost or stolen 30-day MetroCards; lowering the threshold for receiving MetroCard bonuses from $15 to $10; and asking your customers if they want a 14-day unlimited-ride passes. However, the Straphangers Campaign is troubled that you are raising the 7-day pass by 24%, compared to an 11% increase for the 30-day pass. Seven-day passes are relied on much more heavily by lower income riders and we urge a lower percentage increase. On the booth closings: We appreciate the Chairman’s proposal to spare at least 115 of the 177 booths proposed for closure. We urge the MTA to go further and declare a moratorium on these service cuts while you comprehensively evaluate the best role for booth clerks. The closings were hastily chosen without consulting affected neighborhoods and badly compromise rider security and convenience. On your financial reporting: The MTA has expressed frustration about the outcry to open its books. But there’s a real reason for the lost credibility. In the last year, the MTA produced at least three different projections of its deficits, low-balling the number when selling bonds or helping Governor Pataki get re-elected, raising it to the roof when seeking a fare hike. I am encouraged by MTA plans to put more detailed and timely financial and operating information on its web site. But much more needs to be done, starting with leveling with riders about your finances over the coming years. Which leads to my last point: Less than a year and a half from now, the MTA will have to propose a new five-year transit rebuilding and financial program. Will the MTA be pressing Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg to provide the resources necessary to move the transit system forward? Or do the Governor and Mayor plan to stick the riders with the bill, with another fare hike right behind this one? -----------------------------
For more information, contact: Gene Russianoff (212) 349-6460 _____________________________________________________________ |
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