Albany Budget Leaves Student Straphangers in Limbo, Transit Layoffs Start in July
The New York State budget just passed by the Legislature and Governor Pataki does not contain the $58 million restoration to transit passes for NYC school children that was a part of the original State Assembly budget bill. Whether the Assembly traded the restoration away under the assumption that the Governor and Mayor would take most of the blame for transit cuts, or some other development within the budget negotiations killed the restoration, is unclear. It is clear that the Governor's transit cuts are now law, and that no funding at all exists for free transit passes for NYC students. The MTA has continued to let students ride free since October, when Mayor Giuliani first ended the subsidy for the student passes. Without City or State funding restoration, the MTA now faces the choice of cutting spending elsewhere, charging students for transit, or increasing subway and bus fares to make up for the difference. NY Newsday reported last week that the MTA had filed a notice of claim with the City Comptroller's office that charged the Administration with a $113 million debt for failing to make student pass payments. The MTA said the claim was a first step toward taking the Giuliani Administration to court, but said a final decision had not been made on a lawsuit. An 800-job staff reduction at NYC Transit will take effect July 15. The seniority-based layoffs will affect bus mechanics, clerical staff, guards and managers. Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Damaso Seda told the Daily News that the transit riding public would pay for the cuts in reduced service. 900 other job cuts targeted to meet Mayor Giuliani's initial cut to the City's contribution to NYC Transit's operating budget will be open jobs that will go unfilled. A report delivered by NYC Transit to the MTA this week specified the transit service cuts that will go into effect in September (the cuts were passed by the MTA in February, but were not detailed). 2, 3, 4,5, 6 and 7 trains will run less frequently, as will the A, D, L and Q trains starting in November. Frequency reduction may not be that noticeable, but extra crowding on the trains will, according to the Straphangers Campaign. 57 bus routes will also see reduced service. Closure of the Dean St. Station in Brooklyn and elimination of some bus routes were approved last February. NY Newsday reported this week that the MTA will begin to consider a next round of service cuts in July.
