The pressure on Governor Paterson and the New York State Legislature to stop drastic MTA fare hikes and service cuts continues to build. The cuts are expected to be approved by the MTA Finance Committee on Monday, and approved by the full board on Wednesday, March 25.
Today, the New York Daily News editorial board covered a letter sent to state legislators from business, labor, community, good government, and transportation groups (including TSTC) calling for a comprehensive, long term funding plan for the MTA “that provides for affordable fares, expanded service and long term capital investment.” The full letter, signed by what the News called a “remarkable coalition” is here.
Streetsfilms has posted this excellent film recapping the Keep New York Moving Lobbying Day on Tuesday.
There are only five days left! If you benefit from a healthy MTA system, please tell your legislators to act today with the action alerts at keepnewyorkmoving.org.
The Evil that is the MTA
Ruben Safir March 12th, 2009
The Metropolitan Transit Authority is the single biggest threat to the
long term stability of New York City. It has been standing on the throat
of this city for decades, squeezing the economic life blood from this
town. It has proven to be an irresponsible steward of this cities
transportation network. It has political muscle and protection unlike
any organization in our government. Unlike a private enterprise, it has
no need to constrain its budget for the purposes of profitability.
Unlike a government organization, it escapes any kind of voter over site at the ballot box. We are all victims of the MTA and its reckless use of government funds, and misguided priorities. This people, the voters of the City of New York, can never give the MTA enough funds to satiate its endless budget. Every dollar they acquire, they budget for completely, and then they spend one more. The MTA must die if the City of New York is to live.
[EDIT – Ruben: Do not copy and paste long scrolls of text, especially if they are articles which are available online and which you could link to and selectively quote from. -SH]
MTA debt is what is driving up the fares of the MTA. They have been
rolling in public financed doe through out the fat years and now they
must face the reality of a deep recession and a declining City economy. And it is LONG time for New York City to get its SUBWAY BACK without the interference of Albany. It is time for the Queen of Hearts and to stop the lies that our current state legislator is somehow responsible for the MTA’s crimes. If a massive fair hike comes on March 25th, it will be squarely the fault of the MTA. OFF WITH THEIR HEADS. It is high time to end the MTA
THE EVIL ARE THE POLITICIANS
I was trying to understand why suburban politicians (Republicans) were against implementing the tolls on the east river and Harlem bridges…I now know the answer. Their constituents are the ones driving into Manhattan polluting the environment while we the city residents a majority do not own vehicles and have to use mass transit to get to work. Something is wrong with this.
I would like to know who is paying off Mr. Smith and the democrats in the state senate not to support the implementation of tolls since a majority of their constituents use mass transit? These politician should be encouraging their constituents to use mass transit, not driving vehicles into Manhattan for FREE.