This morning the MTA Board is taking up a proposal that will raise the base fare for individual riders. In my capacity as both a City Councilman and Chair of the Transportation Committee, I join the chorus of thousands of working and middle class New Yorkers, transit advocates, and elected officials in denouncing these plans.
In order to maintain our status as a world class destination, we must have a well-functioning, well connected, transit system. However, the MTA has lacked the vision necessary to bring our city and states infrastructure to good repair let alone to expand its network to better reach all New Yorkers. Rather, they still operate under a $15 billion shortfall with no true dedication to exploring alternative means of funding.
Despite these shortfalls, ridership has been ever increasing. On September 23rd, 6.1 million people rode the subway's 659 miles of track, many on lines using decade's old technology. New York, an international leader in finance, real estate and countless other industries is better than this.
The MTA must become forward thinking and begin to discuss alternative and creative revenue sources like requiring all TLC licensed vehicles pay towards the MTA improvement fund, a fair tolling plan for bridges and tunnels and / or furthering Public-Private Partnerships. It can no longer be the first instinct of the MTA to increase the burden they put on working class New Yorkers. The priority should be improving the system for all New Yorkers through new methods, not closing the fiscal gap on the backs of the working class.
Editors Note: It kind of makes one feel how the city council is operating - 'In the dark'.
Editors Note: It kind of makes one feel how the city council is operating - 'In the dark'.
