Although I referred to the MTA’s public hearings last week as political theater, I recognize that, as happened in 1990, these hearings can impact the MTA’s decision to cut services. Today, the Daily News reports, unsurprisingly, that the MTA is reconsidering some bus route eliminations. The report is light on details, but the Post says Walder will try to encourage $5 million in internal belt-tightening over eliminated some bus routes. For local neighborhoods who are on the verge of seeing their buses disappear, this is a good news indeed.
On the other hand, the MTA has a larger problem. When the cuts were first proposed the authority’s deficit was around $350 million, but today, it is approximately $751 million. Walder says the agency will eliminate administrative positions and stop some technology-based projects, but those cuts will save just $50 million annually. At some point, the authority is going to have to find big bucks, and if that means massive service cuts or a steep fare hike, New Yorkers who rely on the subways and buses for their daily needs are going to be feeling the pain.
6 comments
Fare hike time.
Walder says the agency will…stop some technology-based projects…
Such as?
Countdown clocks? I can’t help but think that the pilot plan on the A/C uptown is going to be the modus operandi for the rest of the rollout, rather than the uber-expensive systems installed on the L/6.
It IS true that some bus cuts would be especially inappropriate, if they are bus routes that do not coincide with subway routes. In that category, of course, is the elimination even on weekends of any Manhattan crosstown bus route.
Agreed. There are places in the five boroughs where a commuter van would be fine. Perhaps the same place where Access-a-Ride get it’s vans.
Of course. The service cuts are a drop in the ocean compared to what’s really causing the deficit, which is labor costs. This was inevitable.