The problem underlying the MTA’s crisis of credibility, as the NY Times and Straphangers Campaign defined the furor over the city and state comptroller reports on the transit agency’s financial maneuvering and reporting prior to its recent decision to raise fares, is that MTA management functions simply as a department within the Pataki administration.

Under previous administrations, the MTA board acted with more independence. It could explain bad news more readily, and it could point out state government’s shortcomings regarding mass transit.

Behind much of the MTA’s current financial difficulties is the retreat of city and especially state fiscal support for day-to-day operations for major capital programs. Where the state under Governor Pataki has relied on high-percentage fare increases and borrowing to keep the MTA and its capital program running, earlier capital programs were funded in part by new dedicated state tax revenues. Under the Pataki administration, transit managers cannot point out this major financial shift and structural problem without risking their jobs.

Thus, transit advocates could easily predict (see MTR #386) that the MTA would announce the bad news regarding its finances shortly after the close of last year’s race for governor, but not a moment earlier. And they were right.

Last week, the Straphangers Campaign said the MTA faced the worst crisis of public confidence in its 35-year history. Straphangers called for these steps to help restore public confidence in the MTA:

Governor Pataki: Appoint an independent blue ribbon panel (a Moreland Act commission) with subpeona powers to investigate MTA finances.

Mayor Bloomberg: Audit MTA finances and call off $200 million in cuts to MTA support.

MTA: Delay the May 4th fare increase, release more complete information on fare options and hold a new round of public hearings.

State legislature: Enact laws that will make the MTA more accountable to legislators and riders.

Straphangers is also urging its supporters to call Governor Pataki to urge him to delay the fare increase. Straphangers will wage an email and subway leafleting campaign this week, targeting the governor. www.straphangers.org

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