http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/09/are-the-mtas-capital-plans-hanging-in-the-balance/ A New York City Subway Blog Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:27:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/09/are-the-mtas-capital-plans-hanging-in-the-balance/#comment-37023 Kevin Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:40:08 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=900#comment-37023 The riding public refuses to believe that the MTA is susceptible to the same economic problems and inflation as the rest oft he world. They don't properly understand the issues of rising energy, construction, and material costs that are driving up the price of everything. I just wish people would understand the MTA isn't out to steal all of their money into a black hole but that they're facing the same problem as people going to the supermarket only to find prices have shot up 20%. The riding public refuses to believe that the MTA is susceptible to the same economic problems and inflation as the rest oft he world. They don’t properly understand the issues of rising energy, construction, and material costs that are driving up the price of everything. I just wish people would understand the MTA isn’t out to steal all of their money into a black hole but that they’re facing the same problem as people going to the supermarket only to find prices have shot up 20%.

]]> http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/09/are-the-mtas-capital-plans-hanging-in-the-balance/#comment-36981 Marc Shepherd Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:46:26 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=900#comment-36981 There are various taxes that are earmarked for the MTA, such as mortgage and real estate transfer taxes. The trouble is that these revenues fluctuate with the economic cycle. In bad times, people aren't buying and selling as much, so the MTA's revenue stream dries up. There are various taxes that are earmarked for the MTA, such as mortgage and real estate transfer taxes. The trouble is that these revenues fluctuate with the economic cycle. In bad times, people aren’t buying and selling as much, so the MTA’s revenue stream dries up.

]]> http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/09/are-the-mtas-capital-plans-hanging-in-the-balance/#comment-36979 ScottE Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:52:47 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=900#comment-36979 What exactly are "real estate revenues"? I hear this term all the time in MTA budget articles and don't understand it. Is it rent from storefronts, concessions, etc that the MTA has leased to private entities? Are they earmaked a percentage of the city's property taxes? Is it like a neverending home-equity loan or mortgage refinance? What exactly are “real estate revenues”? I hear this term all the time in MTA budget articles and don’t understand it. Is it rent from storefronts, concessions, etc that the MTA has leased to private entities? Are they earmaked a percentage of the city’s property taxes? Is it like a neverending home-equity loan or mortgage refinance?

]]> http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/09/are-the-mtas-capital-plans-hanging-in-the-balance/#comment-36971 Marc Shepherd Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:24:56 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=900#comment-36971 The fact is, the most recent fare hike was far too modest. The reason they're facing a 2009 hike is that they didn't raise it enough in 2008. I don't see any realistic scenario where the state comes through with a bailout anywhere near high enough. The farebox is where it needs to come from. The fact is, the most recent fare hike was far too modest. The reason they’re facing a 2009 hike is that they didn’t raise it enough in 2008. I don’t see any realistic scenario where the state comes through with a bailout anywhere near high enough. The farebox is where it needs to come from.

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