Transit Budget Politics and Developments
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More NY transit and budget politics from the last fortnight: Mayor Giuliani's MTA Board representatives voted against the resolution to implement the Fare Deal package, arguing that fare increases should only be used to cover deficits and that the MTA had no credible way of dealing with
the Mayor's $113 million cut in the City's contribution to the Transit Authority. Urgings for the MTA to somehow cover the cost of fare discounts without increases in the basic fare were echoed by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and State Senate Transportation Committee Chair Norman Levy.
The NYC City Council's counter-proposal to deep budget cuts outlined by Giuliani left the $113 million transit reduction as is. The Council's plan did propose the takeover of the Staten Island Ferry by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The move would trim about $18 million in City
subsidies, but the idea has been doused in cold water by all other parties, from the MTA to Commissioner Sander to the Staten Island Advance.