Mar 25, 2008 6:51 pm US/Eastern
MTA Reneges On Planned Subway Renovations
Blames Shortcomings In Revenue, Despite Fare Hikes
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Broken promises hurt, and Monday night, New York City commuters are feeling the pain. The MTA says it is putting service improvements on hold; just days after a fare hike went into effect.
As riders began shelling out more cash to ride public transit, the MTA said it can not fulfill its promise of improving 11 subway lines and adding new bus routes.
On March 2, the $2 bonus on $10 metro cards became a thing of the past. The cost of a $7 a day pass went up $1 and a month metro card climbed from $76 to $81. But now MTA is saying there isn't enough money to make improvements.
"It's frustrating because you pay more but you have nothing to show for it, or the trains run more frequently," said Serena Scholz.
The MTA blames a sluggish real estate market. In March, the MTA real estate tax revenue fell $32 million short of initial projections. But there is a possible light at the end of the tunnel. If approved in June, some improvements could go into effect by the end of the year.
Straphangers are disappointed at the lack of improvements. "Look at this: you walk around, and there's some places you can't even walk. I'd like to see that improved," rider Avo Ascencio said of a subway stop in Brooklyn.
Rider Serena Scholz said, "It's frustrating because you pay more but you have nothing to show for it."
The renovation delay comes as the "Smutz" report is released, listing the dirtiest subway lines in the city.
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