CPBO Posted December 22, 2011 Share #1 Posted December 22, 2011 Although incoming MTA head Joe Lhota rejected a campaign to restore service cuts throughout the city, he vowed Wednesday not to raise fares or slash service in 2012. Despite the agency's "fragile" economic situation, Lhota said, "there are no contemplations of" service cuts or fare increases next year. "It is my hope and my prayer that someday we can restore service cuts that happened last year," he said. Lhota even went a step further, adding, "I do not expect to have any service cuts during my tenure," though fare hikes are already planned for 2013, 2015 and 2017. Lhota, who is expected to be officially confirmed MTA chairman next month, adamantly shot down a last-minute proposal to hire 300 employees as part of $20 million in service additions for next summer, saying it was still uncertain if the agency would recover funds lost due to the bad economy and recent reductions in tax revenue. Board member Allen Cappelli reintroduced an amendment proposed earlier this week to undo some service cuts. The plan gained some traction among the board, though it still failed by a 6-4 margin. The budget, without the amendment, passed by a 7-3 vote. Board member Charles Moerdler, one of two new members to vote in favor of the amendment, said it was important to attempt to add service increases in next year's budget. "It sends a message to Albany and to City Hall: It's time to play or get away from the piano," he said. "If you care about mass transit, put up or shut up." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urbanfortitude Posted December 22, 2011 Share #2 Posted December 22, 2011 I like this guy already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokkemon Posted December 22, 2011 Share #3 Posted December 22, 2011 Mkay, at least he tells it like it is. We'll see if it actually plays out that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirtiger Posted December 22, 2011 Share #4 Posted December 22, 2011 is this april fools day? what happened to the super deficit of the MTA in the upcoming future? Also being adament about no raises for employees & such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHV9218 Posted December 22, 2011 Share #5 Posted December 22, 2011 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nova RTS 9147 Posted December 23, 2011 Share #6 Posted December 23, 2011 If I had a nickel for every unreasonable budget promise... I'll finish that sentence for you. "If I had a nickel for every unreasonable budget promise I'd be able to afford the new fare increase for 2013!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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