Today, the New York City MTA proposed another fare and toll hike to manage a projected $900 million deficit next year. To avoid service cuts, according to WNYC , MTA head Lee Sander is "going begging everywhere, to Governor Paterson, Mayor Bloomberg, the federal government, and riders." But in many other cities across the country, service cuts due to budget shortfalls are unavoidable. Ironically, communities are cutting services just when use of public transit is at a 50-year high due to skyrocketing gasoline prices (see map ). To avoid cutting these crucially important services, public transit systems urgently need federal help. Consider this plea for help from the State of Pennsylvania : Public transit systems … are experiencing increased ridership. … However, Pennsylvania lacks a stable, dedicated funding source for public transit and revenues fail to keep pace with operating costs. … Without a dedicated funding source, many of Pennsylvania's 73 public transit systems will be forced to make drastic cuts in service that will have a negative economic affect on local economies because workers will have difficulty getting to jobs, schools, doctor’s offices and stores. The same thing is happening in Cleveland . According to the Regional Transit Authority head Joe Calabrese, ridership is up 10 percent, but fares don't cover the cost of diesel fuel: We may have to cut more service because we have to pay for the diesel fuel. This is happen ...
Anytime
