NYC Councilman Simcha Felder joined Councilman James Vacca (D-Bronx) and Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn (D-Manhattan), along with leading transportation advocates on the steps of City Hall to urge the MTA to reject the latest round of “doomsday” service cuts when it meets tomorrow, and to instead explore reallocating $140 million of capital funds to temporarily close an unexpected gap in its operating budget. Among the cuts the MTA is proposing is the elimination of free student Metrocards that provide fares to and from school and after-school programs, as well as the elimination of the B23 bus line that runs along 16th Avenue in Boro Park, Brooklyn.

The additional funds would come from two sources: more than $90 million in unspent federal stimulus aid that may be allocated toward operating expenses through a congressionally sanctioned process known as “flex,” and roughly $50 million in MTA operating funds that are currently used to supplement the capital budget. The combined funding boost would be more than enough to offset the $129 million the MTA expects to save through cuts to subway and bus service citywide.

The MTA is scheduled to vote on next year’s budget on Wednesday, less than a week before they released this package of cuts. Council Members and advocates demanded that this not be the final action taken by the MTA, and that the MTA pledge to hold hearings before enacting any changes.

“The MTA continues to act like a psychopathic liar, asking for increased funding while promising things it cannot deliver, then repeating the process a few months later,” said Councilman Felder.

“If bus and subway services are cut the way the MTA is proposing, we will be creating mass transit deserts throughout New York City, stranding hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers,” said Council Member Vacca. “Once again, we’ll have citizens paying more and getting less. The city, state, and MTA have got to come together and reexamine the agency’s budget so that these cuts never become a reality.”

“We normally would not favor using capital funding towards operating expenses, however under these circumstances, this is the only appropriate action to take,” said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn.

(YWN Desk – NYC)