New York City – It’s an ongoing struggle: how to balance the needs of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, such as system maintenance and long term capital projects without putting too much financial pressure on its customers. MTA officials and lawmakers are at it again, trying to come up with a workable solution.

Passing up a possible cure for another temporary treatment. That’s what’s brewing in Albany as Senate Democrats get set to unveil their game plan to address the MTA’s fiscal crisis and the growing commuter outrage over the rescue plan backed by former MTA Chairman Richard Ravitch.

The so called Ravitch rescue proposal calls for fare hikes, East River tolls and a payroll tax.

“The services are not getting better and the prices just keep going up,” said commuter Susan Nashe.

The Senate plan – due out Tuesday – is being billed as a less expansive, short-term alternative, and most importantly, a product of slim legislative support in Albany for the Ravitch Plan’s East River tolls component

Senate Democrats are now said to favor a smaller payroll tax, cutting the proposed fare increase from 8 percent down to 4 percent and wiping out East River tolls.

But there are concerns. Namely that the new plan, while less drastic, may not generate enough money to fill the MTA’s staggering billion dollar budget gap, and by eliminating East River tolls, mass transit commuters, through fare hikes, would bear the brunt of the financial burden.

Governor David Paterson is getting involved in the debate. He’s set to meet on Tuesday with transit advocates, which he’ll follow with a news conference.

(Source: CBS2 HD)