NEW YORK—Labor union leaders and elected officials met at the Broad Street Station where the M train passes through on Thursday, to protest the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) proposal to cut services. The group wants the MTA to divert federal stimulus money from big projects to services that are slated to be cut.
The group pointed out that, over the last several years, the MTA has diverted $1.3 billion from its operating budget into big projects like the 7 line extension, and the Second Avenue subway. Now they want a little bit of that money to keep services from being cut.
“Apply the $90 million in stimulus money available to you right now—today—as a first step to close the budget gap,” said Transport Workers Union President John Samuelsen, in a release. He pointed out that many other cities have used stimulus money to maintain services.
The group hopes to prevent major cuts, which include cutting the M line, the Z line, and around 20 bus lines.
“Boarding up and shutting down the M line doesn’t make sense. Making our children pay bus and subway fares to go to school doesn’t make sense,” said Samuelsen in an NY1 report,
On Wednesday, the MTA announced they have a $400 million budget deficit due to weak results from a payroll tax on employers.
Other controversial cuts include taking away the free student MetroCards, which are used by approximately 550,000 children throughout New York City.
The group pointed out that, over the last several years, the MTA has diverted $1.3 billion from its operating budget into big projects like the 7 line extension, and the Second Avenue subway. Now they want a little bit of that money to keep services from being cut.
“Apply the $90 million in stimulus money available to you right now—today—as a first step to close the budget gap,” said Transport Workers Union President John Samuelsen, in a release. He pointed out that many other cities have used stimulus money to maintain services.
The group hopes to prevent major cuts, which include cutting the M line, the Z line, and around 20 bus lines.
“Boarding up and shutting down the M line doesn’t make sense. Making our children pay bus and subway fares to go to school doesn’t make sense,” said Samuelsen in an NY1 report,
On Wednesday, the MTA announced they have a $400 million budget deficit due to weak results from a payroll tax on employers.
Other controversial cuts include taking away the free student MetroCards, which are used by approximately 550,000 children throughout New York City.
