Res. No. 671
Resolution calling upon the Governor and the Mayor to address the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s projected budget deficit in 2005 to ensure that the proposed service cuts and fare hikes do not fall on the backs of transit riders or transit workers.
By Council Members Liu, Addabbo, Barron, Brewer, Comrie, Dilan, Fidler, Gennaro, Gentile, James, Katz, Koppell, Martinez, McMahon, Monserrate, Nelson, Palma, Recchia, Rivera, Sanders, Seabrook, Vann, Weprin, Clarke, Jackson, Gonzalez and Gerson
Whereas, The Governor has not contributed any direct funds to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) 2000-2004 Capital Program while the City of New York has varied its own contribution due to the City’s fiscal constraints; and
Whereas, In July 2004, as a result of a pattern of disinvestments, the MTA released its proposed budget detailing a projected deficit of $436 million in 2005 and $1.35 billion in 2006, which included proposed service cuts amounting to $91 million and fare hikes to generate an additional $219 million, totaling an impact of $310 million; and
Whereas, The MTA just announced a new budget forecast based on an additional $301 million in revenues not projected in its July budget forecast, reducing the Agency’s budget deficit in 2005; and
Whereas, The MTA’s newly revised plan for service cuts and fare hikes remains largely unchanged, despite the additional cash flow; and
Whereas, If the MTA’s budget were truly deficit-driven, the Agency would rescind all of its service cuts and fare hikes due to these new revenue projections; and
Whereas, The proposed service cuts would still result in the closure of 164 token booths, fare hikes for monthly and weekly MetroCards and for express bus service, the elimination of 33 bus lines and reduced service on other bus lines, and a reduction of 10 percent of subway service on most lines; and
Whereas, The MTA now plans to redeploy 619 station agents throughout the system, most likely shifting station agents out of neighborhood stations into tourist areas and transit hubs; and
Whereas: This re-deployment must be reconsidered given that these station agents serves as the eyes and ears of a system that provides safety to straphangers and assistance to the elderly and disabled riders out of our communities; and
Whereas, The bus service cuts will impose a significant inconvenience and economic hardship upon City residents who rely on buses as the life blood of the community, primarily those residing outside of the Manhattan central business district, and
Whereas, A fare increase will place a burden on New Yorkers that is unfair, and that the Council believe swill only serve to drive people away from our great city; and
Whereas, The Mayor and the Governor need to work together to identify a long-term dedicated funding stream for the MTA that will ensure a fully-funded mass transit system for years to come; now therefore be it
Resolved, that the Governor and the Mayor address the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s projected budget deficit in 2005 ensure that the proposed service cuts and fare hikes do not fall on the backs of transit riders or transit workers.
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LS 2022