MTR 200, NYC Transit Could Have Difficult 1999

Mobilizing the Region

Issue 200

December 18, 1998

NYC Transit Could Have Difficult 1999

While the newspapers focused this week on the MTA's success in pushing a policy of hiding its new $4 one-day city bus and subway passes from regular transit riders, the bigger story is that the MTA 1999 budget adopted yesterday contains only modest NYC Transit service increases (see MTR #199).

With trains and buses already overburdened, and Governor Pataki having promised an historic increase in subway and bus trips, the slim reality of the MTA service plan is likely to bring the agency under considerable pressure from riders, transit advocates and the media. It could also anger legislators who will have to approve a new multi-year MTA capital plan early in 2000. The NY State Assembly recently vetoed an MTA capital plan amendment, arguing that the agency's plans to provide adequate service were at best unclear.