M.T.A. Warns of Fare Increases and Service Cuts as Budget Crisis Looms

[Eugene]

Source: New York Times

M.T.A. Warns of Fare Increases and Service Cuts as Budget Crisis Looms

By Emma G. Fitzsimmons
Nov. 15, 2018

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is facing a looming budget crisis that could lead to major fare increases or cuts to subway and bus service, officials warned Thursday.

The transit agency, which is struggling to fix the sputtering subway, needs an influx of new funding to avoid serious consequences for subway and bus riders, officials said.

The authority’s worsening financial picture came after the abrupt departure of its chairman, Joseph J. Lhota, who resigned this month after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was elected to a third term. Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat who controls the authority, has called on state lawmakers to help pay for subway repairs by approving congestion pricing, a proposal to toll drivers entering the busiest parts of Manhattan.

The agency’s need for additional funding does not include the cost of a sweeping plan that transit officials say is needed to modernize the aging subway. The ambitious project could cost as much as $40 billion.

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Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/15/nyregion/mta-fare-hike-nyc.html

[Just a Weirdo]

1. deBlasio should not have let Amazon in.

Now Amazon is going to suck the taxpayers dry and not leave a damn dollar to fix the subway.

Amazon should be forced to invest in the infrastructure in order to move to New York, not depend on incentives.

Jeff's $168 billion could be used to fix both infrastructures in DC and NY first before they anchor there.