There are ten days to Christmas, but only four days left until the board members of the MTA decide on the fateful fare increase. The Governor and the Mayor have unfortunately spoken in favor of the hikes and the board members themselves aren't keen on listening to the public and many from the legislature that represent them up in Albany. In fact these board members have no clue about what it takes to live paycheck to paycheck or even ride the MTA themselves (I don't think you can count Dale Hemmerdinger's boat as part of the ferry fleet).
Now as the deadline approaches, more information continues to pour in that shows the much vaunted deficits of 2009 have been shrinking considerably. Those monstrous deficits have been the impetus for the fare hike, but now it seems that the MTA clearly does not understand its own budget.
From The Daily News:
In July, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority predicted a $1.4 billion deficit for 2009 if it failed to reduce some expenses, tap into surplus funds, raise fares and make other moves.New budget documents now show the authority's planned deficit-closing measures will narrow the gap to $561 million - a 61% reduction.
The decrease can be achieved without charging more for buses, subways, commuter trains, as well as bridges and tunnels, the documents show.
An MTA spokesman wouldn't discuss the impact of other moves, including moving $81 million from a downsizing account into another account, set to go before MTA committees Monday and the full board Wednesday.
But Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester) said, "The more data we have, the more clear it is we don't need a fare increase next year."
The collective heads at the MTA are so thick headed and stubborn, they'd probably suggest a fare increase if that $1.4 billion deficit was a surplus. Brodsky is right, there is no need for an increase in fares. It is a rare time to see our politicians on the right side of the issue at hand...if only these board members were on their game as well.
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