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MTA Considers Possible Service Cuts
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 23, 2008
Modified Sep 23, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 23, 2008
Modified Sep 23, 2008
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Get ready for primal screams across the region, if the MTA decides to cut subway, bus, and rail service as it faces its nearly $1 billion-deficit next year. The Daily News reports that MTA CFO Gary Dellaverson said the agency "recently told its divisions to detail ways to cut spending by about 4.5% in the event the economy deteriorates beyond the MTA's latest budget projections - or if city and state funding isn't increased to levels sought by the MTA."
The MTA has already been working on skimming its budget--and planning for fare and toll hikes. MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin said, "This is an exercise in case of a hypothetical situation. It’s very preliminary," as did MTA transit committee chairwoman Doreen Frasca, who said, "Everything's going to be on the table - but service cuts will be the last thing on the table."
Still, with ridership continuing to grow and the city and state unlikely to chip in any more money, how the MTA will save any money seems pretty clear: Dellaverson said, "I think it's fair to say that it will be difficult for the agencies to find that much savings without affecting the service package."
Photograph by susiejulie on Flickr
Tagged
budget deficit
bus
lirr
metro north
MTA
service cuts
subway
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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