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Testimony There’s a lot to talk about today. On fares: New York City transit riders are once again being asked to pay more and get less just 18 months after the largest fare increase is the system’s history. That’s just unfair. Governor George Pataki’s policies of starving the MTA for rebuilding funds and forcing the agency to borrow billions have fueled this most recent round of fare hikes. The governor knows the MTA’s financial problems are deeper than any fare hike can fix – the agency is facing a $1 billion operating deficit in 2006 – but has done nothing but sit at the sidelines while riders are forced to pay more and more for his bad policies. On the booth closings: The MTA’s plan to close 164 station booths is foolish and dangerous. The Straphangers Campaign asked fair questions of the MTA’s plan to turn booth clerks into roving customer service agents: Will station agents be trained and properly equipped to be genuine customer service representatives? Will they have the necessary support, such as an information kiosk that riders can find and systems to properly communicate with police and transit officials? What guarantees will the MTA make that these positions will be maintained? What hours will they be available and how will they be scheduled? Will rider safety in cases of emergencies be compromised? The lack of response leads us to believe the MTA’s plan is poorly thought out. We urge the MTA to suspend plans to close booths until a comprehensive evaluation on the best role for booth clerks is completed. On the MTA’s credibility: The MTA claims it is doing its part during these tight financial times but riders remains skeptical – and for good reason. Why is the public being asked to pay more when it’s clear there’s no need for a fare hike is 2005? Raising fares now while setting up a $200 million “rainy day” fund smacks of being timed to give maximal help to the Mayor and Governor at a key time in the political calendar. And why isn’t the MTA having a competitive bidding process for its rail yards on Manhattan’s West Side and at the Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn? These assets should yield the highest price possible, not simply be turned over in sweetheart deals to sports franchises at the Mayor or Governor’s bidding. The MTA will have to pave the road to reform by supporting new checks and balances for itself, making greater administrative savings and trimming all the fat it can if it hopes to have the public’s support for Chairman Kalikow’s plan for financing a vital upcoming rebuilding program – one that’s currently $11 billion dollars shy of becoming a reality. Which leads to my last point: Already the debate has begun on the MTA’s new five-year transit rebuilding 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 unfairly stick the riders with the bill, with another fare hike right behind this one? For more information, contact: Neysa Pranger at (212) 349-6460 or (917) 532-0567
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