New York City transit officials said cuts in subway, bus and commuter rail service may be necessary to deal with a nearly $900 million deficit.
The cuts would come as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority seeks to raise fares and tolls.
MTA Chief Financial Officer Gary J. Dellaverson said he has directed the heads of various agencies to come up with alternative budgets in case the economy is “worse than predicted” or state and city funding fails to appear.
He told the divisions that run the subways, buses and commuter rail roads that they must cut about 4.5 percent of expenses. He said cuts should target management-level expenses before affecting services.
The MTA has already proposed fare and toll increases that would go into effect in July.
The MTA’s finance committee narrowly approved a plan to charge the city for E-ZPasses used by police, fire, and other city agencies. The plan would require the agencies to get their own pre-paid E-ZPass accounts, just like all other users.
The board voted 3-2 in favor of the plan, with Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s appointees both voting against it.
The MTA’s full board is expected to approve the measure tomorrow.
(Associated Press / NY1)
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2 Responses
How about cutting out some their top executives? And how about early retirement for the rest? Has anyone ever seen the MTA people work? I have a neighbor who says he works for the MTA but every time I see him he is drinking coffee and riding on the buses. But, he is working for the MTA!
I agree, a very dishonest organization and a bunch of liars who are in it for themselves and not for the people. The only thing they have done good is got new train cars but still many lines need them such as the A, B, C, E.