Photo: New York subway pexels-jeffrey-czum-2120010

New York’s public transport “won’t survive” without federal aid

27 August 2020

by Sarah Wray

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said it could be forced to reduce subway and bus services by as much as 40 percent and commuter rail provision by 50 percent if it doesn’t receive US$12 billion in federal aid to make up for COVID-19 losses.

Announcing the potential measures at an emergency board meeting, the MTA said it may also need to increase fares, scrap many improvement plans and cut over 8,000 jobs.

The organisation said it is facing “the most severe financial crisis” in its history, with ridership experiencing greater declines than in the aftermath of the Great Depression and revenue down 40 percent amid the pandemic.

The MTA has forecast a US$16.2 billion deficit to 2024. The state agency is calling for US$12 billion to get it through 2021 and warns it will need to take immediate action without US$3.9 billion in additional federal funding for this year.

For passengers, wait times could increase by up to eight minutes on the subway and 15 minutes on buses.

“Devastating blow”

To apply further pressure on Washington, the MTA has launched a #SaveTransit advertising campaign across social media and digital screens. The materials state: “Without federal funding, public transit in New York won’t survive…Without public transit, New York doesn’t work.”

“The MTA simply cannot wait any longer for relief from Washington,” said Patrick J. Foye, MTA Chairman and CEO. “New York’s economic future, and the country’s, relies on a strong MTA powering progress. If the Senate fails to step up and deliver US$12 billion, it would be a devastating blow to mass transit as we know it. We need action now, and the more we can amplify this message, the better.”

The US$3.9 billion that the MTA received under the CARES Act was used up last month, Foye said.

[Image: Jeffrey Czum from Pexels]

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