File #: Res 0496-2002    Version: * Name: (MTA-NYCT) to disclose and make available documents & analyses that might indicate whether a fare increase is necessary or justified.
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Transportation
On agenda: 9/25/2002
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the Governor of the State of New York to direct the Metropolitan Transportation Authority-New York City Transit (MTA-NYCT) to disclose and make available to the public and other government entities financial documents and analyses that might indicate whether a fare increase is necessary or justified.
Sponsors: John C. Liu, Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., Charles Barron, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., James E. Davis, Ruben Diaz, Erik Martin Dilan, Simcha Felder, Lewis A. Fidler, Alan J. Gerson, Robert Jackson, Allan W. Jennings, Jr., G. Oliver Koppell, Margarita Lopez, Miguel Martinez, Christine C. Quinn, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., James Sanders, Jr., Bill Perkins
Council Member Sponsors: 19
Attachments: 1. Committee Report, 2. Hearing Transcript, 3. Stated Meeting - Hearing Transcript
Res. No. 496 Title Resolution calling upon the Governor of the State of New York to direct the Metropolitan Transportation Authority-New York City Transit (MTA-NYCT) to disclose and make available to the public and other government entities financial documents and analyses that might indicate whether a fare increase is necessary or justified. Body By Council Members Liu, Addabbo, Barron, Comrie, Davis, Diaz, Dilan, Felder, Fidler, Gerson, Jackson, Jennings, Koppell, Lopez, Martinez, Quinn, Recchia and Sanders; also Council Member Perkins Whereas, Mass transit is vital to all New Yorkers in that it takes millions of us to work, school, and other important destinations; and Whereas, Mass transit is also vital because it reduces pollution and traffic congestion in the City and saves energy; and Whereas, Mayor Bloomberg recently alluded to the possibility of a fare increase on mass transit operated by MTA-NYCT following the 2002 General Election; and Whereas, Any increase in the bus and subway fare would be particularly hard for many New Yorkers with a fixed income that depend on public transportation, such as senior citizens, the working poor, those receiving governmental income assistance and the disabled; and Whereas, City subway and buses move 84% of the State's transit riders but get only 63% of State transit aid; and Whereas, On an average day, there are one million more riders on City subways and buses than there were just five years ago; and Whereas, The national average of mass transit operating costs covered by fares is 40%; and Whereas, Riders in New York City pay nearly 60% of the cost of running the subway and bus systems, MetroNorth riders pay 54%, and those on the Long Island Rail Road pay only 44%; and Whereas, A fare hike presents additional financial hardship to riders who may have lost employment and income following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks; and Whereas, The people of New York City and their elected officials deserve to see all of the documents and financial analyses related to any discussion of a fare increase; and Whereas, Governor Pataki can influence the MTA's decision on a potential fare increase as he appoints all of its board members and its chairman; and Whereas, The Governor, therefore, has the ability and the duty to direct the release of all relevant financial documents and analyses; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the New York City Council calls upon the Governor of the State of New York to direct the Metropolitan Transportation Authority-New York City Transit to disclose and make available to the public and other government entities financial documents and analyses that might indicate whether a fare increase is necessary or justified.