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Straphangers Campaign Statement on Improving MTA Finances November 4, 2004 It's clearly good news that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it now projects running $330 million ahead of earlier estimates for the end of 2004. We agree that these funds should be use to keep fares affordable and service levels decent. We strongly support the MTA's plans to reverse truncating the G line and to slow the pace on ill-conceived plans to cut off-peak bus service which would increase crowding and waits. (In our view, more bus service - not less - is needed to meet demand.) We understand the MTA still wishes to close 164 station booths, but now says it will keep all the affected personnel at stations and platforms to aid passengers. The Straphangers Campaign has long supported moving to a system of "customer service representatives" outside the booths, who would provide information and assistance face-to-face with riders. A move to this approach will require the MTA to provide security for the station agents and to commit to maintaining staffing levels, so this isn't a disguised reduction in services over time. On fares, the MTA is going in the right direction, but needs to do more. Their new plan would ameliorate the proposed express bus fares hike (originally slated to go from $4 to $6 and now proposed to got $5) and would abandon plans for hugely more expensive $84 30-day MetroCard (up from $70), returning to its original plan for a new $76 30-day MetroCard. There would be no change in the proposed to hike the $21 7-day MetroCard to $24. The MTA also says it wants to set aside a $200 million operating reserve to deal with uncertainties like power costs and a downturn in dedicated tax receipts. The Straphangers Campaign believes a reserve should be set aside only for very seriously probable contingencies. Our strong preference is to use these dollars to further hold fares down and service up. Lastly, it's important to note that the MTA's long-term financial problems remain serious and grave due to massive borrowing costs, including a projected $1 billion operating deficit in 2006. In addition, the MTA must find at least $11 billion to fill a $17 billion gap in its proposed five-year core rebuilding program. For more information, please contact:
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