Nov 20, 2008 6:30 am US/Eastern
Brace Yourself: MTA Revealing 'Doomsday Budget'
Likely To Result In $3 Subway Fares, 50 Percent Increase In Express Bus Service Cost
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveils its "doomsday" budget on Thursday and it appears that no one is spared.
Right now passengers are paying $2 per ride, but with a new proposed 23-percent hike they'll pay a whole lot more for a whole lot less.
When it comes to the MTA's budget problems there's the bad news and the worse news.
The bad news: In one scenario under consideration fares on buses, subways, commuter rails and toll bridges may go up as much as 33 percent. Subways could cost $3.
The worse news: Sources tell CBS 2 HD straphangers could be faced with not one, but two fare hikes, this year and next year.
And in addition to eliminating the W and Z subway lines – as well as steep reductions on other subway lines and bus routes -- there are also plans for severe and painful service cuts on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North.
When asked about service cuts on the LIRR and for Metro-North, MTA head Elliot Sander said: "We'll be talking about that tomorrow as well."
Needless to say, on the streets New Yorkers are not taking the news in stride.
"Dreadful … simply dreadful," said Gustav Farley of Brooklyn. "That's all I got to tell you. I'm not getting any raises. Raising fares, cutting service is not right."
"Hey, I got an idea for you Mr. Andrew Cuomo: How about investigating the MTA and their books?" added Chris Guerrero of East Harlem.
"Reduced service is a bad thing," said Bill Rosenblatt of the Upper West Side. "Fare increases are a bad thing."
And under the heading of everybody feels the pain, disabled riders will pay double for their special access-a-ride vans -- $4 -- and express bus service will go from $5 to $7.50 -- a 50 percent hike.
"Four dollars is a lot for people, you know, that are making $25,000 a year and they have to come back and forth every day. I'm against it," said Carr Massi of Chelsea.
The only light at the end of the tunnel is if a state commission convinces the state Legislature to come up with more money, from, say, tolls on the East River bridges or a payroll tax .
Meanwhile, Gov. David Paterson said the MTA shouldn't expect any help from Albany. Failure to come to an agreement on the budget cuts this week will make it difficult to guarantee state aid.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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