Comments on: With No Plan for Transit, the Next Fare Hike Is Just Around the Bend

By: Angus Grieve-Smith

Angus Grieve-Smith — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:33:22 +0000

Funny, HappyDog, that's almost the same thing you posted earlier today. Also funny how you remember the "two sets of books" in 2003, but not the subsequent comptroller audits that have confirmed that they are no longer doing this.

By: Moser

Moser — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:03:00 +0000

Aaron, it’s not that simple. There is a difference between capital and operating budgets, though they are related. The federal money for LIRR-GCT, for instance, can’t be used to run trains and buses. It’s the law. That’s also true on money already borrowed to build that project. The loans are for a specific purpose.

By: Aaron Berkman

Aaron Berkman — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:48:34 +0000

The MTA can easily cut out the LIRR to Gran Central Station program which will cost US 15.2 billion dollars, and then use that money for its operations, and debt service. The choices being presented to the City are false. We don’t have to choose between Tolls or service cuts and fare hikes. We can just spend less on massive additional projects that the system doesn’t need.

Instead of the Grand Central LIRR program, we can save the 15.2 billion dollars, maintain service and give LIRR riders free transfers at Atlantic Avenue to the subway, while retaining the Pen station subway fare. Trains on the IRT can start at Atlantic Avenue which has the subway capacity. That will encourage riders to use the under utilized Brooklyn LIRR Terminal ending any need for an LIRR extension and providing full service for everyone. Simple enough? Not if you work for Bloomberg and want to use the MTA as a wedge to get tolls on the Brooklyn Bridge.

By: uSkyscraper

uSkyscraper — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:50:30 +0000

Very sad, but this step by the MTA may spur some action from the silent majority that will nudge the kneejerk politicians back to the side of better funding for the MTA.

By: Larry Littlefield

Larry Littlefield — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:01:23 +0000

“Kruger comparing the MTA head to Bernie Madoff. This is the level of discourse our “leaders” are giving us.”

The MTA head was appointed by a Democratic politician. The former MTA heads were appointed by Republican politicians. I forget which one Kruger is — among Albany incumbents they are all alike. But I’m neither, and among other things this is why.

By: Rhywun

Rhywun — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:24:23 +0000

I just saw on the news, Kruger comparing the MTA head to Bernie Madoff. This is the level of discourse our “leaders” are giving us.

It bears repeating that since politicians as a rule wouldn’t be caught dead on a transit vehicle, we should not be surprised at their contempt for the rest of us, but this is just ridiculous.

By: Omri

Omri — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:34:55 +0000

Okay, fine. City passes a budget resolution with a subsidy payment to the MTA, equal to the Brooklyn Bridge maintenance budget, closes the bridge, and we see what happens next.

By: Moser

Moser — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:30:07 +0000

Pay attention guys – the Brooklyn Bridge and other city-owned infrastructure has nothing to do with the MTA budget, except that the big bridges would have been leased to the MTA for tolling under the Ravitch plan.

By: Ian Turner

Ian Turner — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:17:48 +0000

Greg, who do you think selects the MTA leadership? (Hint: The same state government politicians that love to berate the MTA for its bad leadership)

By: TOM

TOM — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:09:25 +0000

Albany CDTA buses are going up to $1.50 from $1.00. At least NYC is not alone.

By: Clarence Eckerson Jr.

Clarence Eckerson Jr. — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:06:48 +0000

Yeah the city should just say we have run out of $$$$ for the upkeep of the East River Bridges and force drivers to use the paid crossings. Boy that would get people’s attention.

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:00:05 +0000

I like Omri’s idea. Close the Brooklyn Bridge to all motor vehicle traffic.

By: Omri

Omri — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:18:57 +0000

Why not go all the way with this brinksmanship and have the city close a bridge on the grounds of lacking funds for its upkeep?

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:17:40 +0000

I don’t understand why the MTA doesn’t play hardball back by, say, threatening to make 100% service cuts to the districts of the fare hike four.

By: Mike Lydon

Mike Lydon — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:16:26 +0000

As noted before, there may be a small silver lining. Come July, when its hot and sticky outside and even worse in the subway tubes and on crowded buses, many New Yorkers may find some solace in the fairly robust network of bicycle infrastructure. Many US cities would not be so lucky in the face of fare hikes and service cuts. Thus, now is the time to lobby even more for bicycle accommodation and for sidewalk improvements–something desperately needed throughout much of Gotham.

By: Mark Walker

Mark Walker — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:39:14 +0000

No one likes fare hikes, but to focus on where the real damage will be done, you have to look at the service cuts.