MTA (major tension aches)

Well, it happened. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) approved an austerity budget for 2009 that calls for cuts on bus, subway and commuter rail service and an increase in fares and tolls.

First off, if their cutting services, how can they increase the fares? Secondly, how can they cut the service anymore? The past few weekends the subway system in New York has been terrible with service changes/cuts. I actually had to go to Brooklyn in order to get an uptown F train in Manhattan, which still doesn’t make any sense to me.

If the MTA does not receive new sources of revenue, the base subway fare will probably rise to at least $2.50 starting in June, which means my beloved unlimited MetroCard will cost me a at least a whopping $100. A meeting next week will set the maximum possible increases, but it seems the inevitable is the worst-case scenario.

There is an rescue plan effort lead my Richard Ravitch, who Governor Patterson appointed, that calls for a payroll tax of a third percent, which will be paid by businesses in the region served by the authority. This tax is estimated to generate an estimated $1.5 billion, which will help in the long term. This plan also calls for tolls on the bridges over the East and Harlem Rivers. The fare increase would be about 8 percent, but they claim this would eliminate most service cuts.

I understand the need for a possible fare increase, but don’t increase my fare and take away services! That just will not make people (me) happy. Anyway, I’m seriously considering just buying a bike and hoping I am able to successfully weave in and out of traffic unharmed.