NEW YORK—A proposed law that would put a halt to fare increases and service cuts stemming from budget raids was supported by a coalition including transit workers, transportation organizations, business leaders, state Sen. Martin Golden, and Assemblyman James Brennan, who gathered at a subway station at Seventh Avenue and 41st Street on Thursday.
The legislation, titled the Transit Funding Lockbox Act, is intended to resolve the issue of funds marked for mass transit often being diverted. In the last two years, around $260 million was swept from the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) accounts into the general fund.
“They should not be sweeping operating funds from the MTA. If that money is put out there and we’re paying money and fees for that resource, if it’s not going toward that resource, it should be going back to the taxpayer,” said Sen. Golden at the press conference.
A public-private corporation that is subsidized by the state, the MTA serves approximately 7 million people a day.
The legislation, titled the Transit Funding Lockbox Act, is intended to resolve the issue of funds marked for mass transit often being diverted. In the last two years, around $260 million was swept from the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) accounts into the general fund.
“They should not be sweeping operating funds from the MTA. If that money is put out there and we’re paying money and fees for that resource, if it’s not going toward that resource, it should be going back to the taxpayer,” said Sen. Golden at the press conference.
A public-private corporation that is subsidized by the state, the MTA serves approximately 7 million people a day.
The coalition said they are concerned that public transportation will keep degenerating, with more bus stops, bus routes, and subway lines potentially getting altered or even eliminated. Another worry is about more frequent fare increases, which could push some people to even consider switching to automobiles for commuting, making the roads more congested.
“Everything revolves around transit,” said Brodie Enoch of Transportation Alternatives (TA), an advocacy group for bicycling, walking, and public transit. “You can have the best housing in the world, if you can’t get there what use is it? You can have the best job creation, if you can’t get to work what’s the difference? You can have the best health care, if you can’t reach your provider it’s no good.”
Service cuts impact a variety of people, from MTA workers to daily commuters. The heaviest cuts came in June 2010. Cuts included the elimination of 36 bus routes, 570 bus stops, and all or part of three subway lines.
If the new bill is enacted, transit would be immune to such budget cuts.
“Sweeping dedicated funds is always an easy and convenient option for the chief executive for balancing the budget. So this is one option we want to take off the table,” said Assemblyman Brennan.
“Everything revolves around transit,” said Brodie Enoch of Transportation Alternatives (TA), an advocacy group for bicycling, walking, and public transit. “You can have the best housing in the world, if you can’t get there what use is it? You can have the best job creation, if you can’t get to work what’s the difference? You can have the best health care, if you can’t reach your provider it’s no good.”
Service cuts impact a variety of people, from MTA workers to daily commuters. The heaviest cuts came in June 2010. Cuts included the elimination of 36 bus routes, 570 bus stops, and all or part of three subway lines.
If the new bill is enacted, transit would be immune to such budget cuts.
“Sweeping dedicated funds is always an easy and convenient option for the chief executive for balancing the budget. So this is one option we want to take off the table,” said Assemblyman Brennan.
