The proposed Metropolitan Transportation Authority service cuts are designed to affect the fewest possible number of riders, and once again, it’s all because the transit agency is financially challenged.

The MTA, according to Friday morning’s Daily News, wants to eliminate two entire subway lines, the W and the Z.

Four subway stations could also be shuttered overnight. They are the stations on the Manhattan Broadway line at City Hall, Cortlandt Street and Rector Street, and also, the downtown Brooklyn Lawrence Street station.

The plan also reportedly includes eliminating a total of 21 local bus routes. An MTA committee will start debating the plan on Monday, but selling it to the public is another story.

“Very clearly, the MTA has a credibility gap and that’s something the new chairman is focused on dealing with. But people have to understand we’re taking a huge hit to the budget outside of our control,” said MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin.

Soffin is talking about the one-two punch they didn’t see coming. Albany slashed $143 million in transit funding because of their own budget woes on top of cash from state payroll taxes coming in about $200 million short of what was expected. But still, the proposed cuts mean longer, more crowded trips for many.

At stake are significant service cuts and additional damage to the MTA’s credibility.

It’s important to note the $200 million shortfall accounts for only 2 percent of the MTA’s $10 billion budget.

(Source: WCBSTV)