More MTA funding or more service cuts, new report warns

[Shortline Bus]

Millions of transit riders face even bigger fare hikes and additional service cuts if the next governor doesn't increase funding, a report coming out Thursday warns.

 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority debt payments are soaring and Albany lawmakers are poaching transit funds, the report from the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy and Transportation Alternatives says.

 

"While MTA executives can cut costs at the margins, only a concerted plan by the next governor can redirect investment to the state's mass transit systems and avert a fiscal disaster," the report says. "Without new sources of revenue, riders will be faced with even more severe service cuts and fare hikes."

 

The report urges the gubernatorial candidates to adopt a platform that includes returning $160 million of MTA-dedicated funds that Gov. Paterson and the state Legislature took to balance the state's budget last year.

 

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/10/21/2010-10-21_more_mta_funding_or_more_cuts__report.html#ixzz135jC4CrL

[Nova RTS 9147]

So pretty much the is toast since the state sees the agency as the bastard child anyway.

[NX Express]

Woohoo Albany!:mad:

[Shortline Bus]

Woohoo Albany!:mad:

 

Can we say hourly headways on all NYC subway lines in the next service cuts?

 

Or the end of all overnight LIRR service? Or the canning of almost all overnight NYC bus service just to name a few.

 

If the economy does not improve soon, these will be part of the doomsday II cuts very soon.:mad:

[IRT Bronx Express]

The worst case scenario that could happen is the elimination of limited/express service, 30 minute headways for all services, and more fare increases. :tdown:

[S78 via Hylan]

Let's not jump to conclusions so fast. We need to also ask ourselves, what if the does recieve funding?

[IRT Bronx Express]

 

Let's not jump to conclusions so fast. We need to also ask ourselves, what if the does receive funding?

If that ever happens, then they should spend it on what is needed.

[Shortline Bus]

While i don't always agree with NYPIRG's Straphangers campaign, I think they were right in asking the to use up to 5% of their opearting budget used only for construction/maintence projects in trying to keep lid on service cuts and the fares.

[Urbanfortitude]

Let's not jump to conclusions so fast. We need to also ask ourselves, what if the does recieve funding?

 

if the does receive proper funding I will start going to Church on sundays because that will be the day I start believing in miracles.

[553 Bridgeton]

if the does receive proper funding I will start going to Church on sundays because that will be the day I start believing in miracles.

 

Thank You!

[Grand Concourse]

If no funding from upstate: Cut LIB [if it hasn't been done so already], cut the full fare student cards, trim back runs on the lowest used express bus lines and some local bus lines. Then increase the base fare per ride.

[Forest Glen]

If no funding from upstate: Cut LIB [if it hasn't been done so already], cut the full fare student cards, trim back runs on the lowest used express bus lines and some local bus lines. Then increase the base fare per ride.

 

You're wrong

[Grand Concourse]

Wow, you put a lot of thought into that...

 

And what's your solution then, oh "express buses are sacred" one?

[lilbluefoxie]

They should cut any express bus route who's route is near an express subway route or LIRR station, and doesn't have ridership to justify its staying around. Same with limited stop routes.

[Forest Glen]

Wow, you put a lot of thought into that...

 

And what's your solution then, oh "express buses are sacred" one?

 

I retired the one word responses for obvious reasons...

 

A few express bus routes shouldn't run on weekends. However, it's unfair to scapegoat all of the express bus routes. As for the student cards, it's funny how you want to cut it now that you no longer attend high school.

[Grand Concourse]

Then what's so damn hard about answering like an adult in the first place? No one will take you seriously everytime you revert to 1-3 word comments.

 

Where did I say cut all of them? If there are lines that have like 5-10 people on the bus going into Manhattan, then why should that run be kept? If anything they should cut it and merge it with another scheduled run so it can carry more people.

 

So? Times are tough, the state keeps slashing funding to the MTA. Student cards should be a DOE issue. If the DOE wants the brats... er kids to stay in school, the cards should be from their budget.

Not my problem some of these kids thinks they own the bus they ride making life hell for us regular riders just trying to get to point b. That's what those yellow buses are for. The city buses shouldn't be their 'shuttle service'. Why should I have to pay the full fare while they act like a-holes and pay for nothing?

 

So it's very simple: the kids either at least pay half of the student cards or the DOE should reimburse the MTA for all costs or provide yellow bus service until the state gives the MTA the full funding it deserves.

 

Things aren't free, they each have their own costs. There is no bailout for the MTA. What do you want from the MTA? Bankruptcy? It seems like it since you have this ideal that express buses and free student cards for all should remain untouched and on the backs of us paying riders.

[metsfan]

Republicans have been holding up 2 important bills in congress that would give a combined 30 billion to transit.

 

- A

[Grand Concourse]

While a 'stimulus' package would be good, transit agencies should also 'spend wisely'. Throwing money at the problem isn't going to help things in the long run. Cutting losses now and trying to make things more efficient is what's needed.

[SubwayGuy]

While a 'stimulus' package would be good, transit agencies should also 'spend wisely'. Throwing money at the problem isn't going to help things in the long run. Cutting losses now and trying to make things more efficient is what's needed.

 

And the cuts need to start at the top with the excess suits. They make the most, so cutting more of them saves the most.

 

Operating personnel and maintenance personnel are stretched thin as it is.

[metsfan]

While a 'stimulus' package would be good, transit agencies should also 'spend wisely'. Throwing money at the problem isn't going to help things in the long run. Cutting losses now and trying to make things more efficient is what's needed.

 

Efficient? Ok, so replace track, lighting, 3rd rail, overhead line, signals, the oldest rolling stock, overhaul the heavy repair shops, there's your efficiency.

 

- A

[R32 3838]

And the cuts need to start at the top with the excess suits. They make the most, so cutting more of them saves the most.

 

Operating personnel and maintenance personnel are stretched thin as it is.

 

I Agree, Cut Those Bastards, But I trust me they will do this, IS FULL OF SHIT, They Have the Money, they need to Stop Wasting Money on Stupid shit, Buy a subway car that is just as the same as the R46 or R62, That would save them money, they need to get rid of these people.

[INDman]

I Agree, Cut Those Bastards, But I trust me they will do this, IS FULL OF SHIT, They Have the Money, they need to Stop Wasting Money on Stupid shit, Buy a subway car that is just as the same as the R46 or R62, That would save them money, they need to get rid of these people.

 

Railfans with No education

 

 

Pot and the kettle kid. Also, sentences get separated with a period, not a comma.

[rr4567]

Efficient? Ok, so replace track,

Money

lighting,

Money

3rd rail,

Money

overhead line,

Money

signals,

Money

the oldest rolling stock,

Even more Money

overhaul the heavy repair shops,

And money.

 

there's your efficiency.

 

- A

 

How is that efficient? Doing all that would require more money than the MTA makes in a year.

[Forest Glen]

While a 'stimulus' package would be good, transit agencies should also 'spend wisely'. Throwing money at the problem isn't going to help things in the long run. Cutting losses now and trying to make things more efficient is what's needed.

 

Let me summarize your position: you want to cut every service you don't use.

[rr4567]

If no funding from upstate: Cut LIB [if it hasn't been done so already], cut the full fare student cards, trim back runs on the lowest used express bus lines and some local bus lines. Then increase the base fare per ride.

 

All of that makes sense except the last thing: Increase the base fare. If you keep on increasing the base fare, that will discourage people from riding mass transit and then more and more cuts will have to happen. And the student MC thing: eliminate it and make the state pay for yellow bus service.

 

Let me summarize your position: you want to cut every service you don't use.

Let me summarize this: Enough with the bickering.