New York Governor Eliot Spitzer announced Tuesday that he was directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to scale back its plan to increase subway and bus fares, holding the base fare at 2 U.S. dollars per ride.
"I have been closely following the public hearings on the potential fare hike by the MTA and I've listened to the public's serious concerns about paying more, especially while times are tight," the governor said in a statement.
"As the MTA updated its budget forecasts, their balance sheet yielded an additional 220 million dollars. Based on the current economic climate that has so many New Yorkers feeling squeezed, it seemed only proper that this amount be returned to the riders," he said.
"I am therefore calling on the MTA to use these funds to reduce the proposed fare and toll increase," he added.
The 220 million dollar includes, Spitzer said, 60 million from increased ridership, 60 million from higher-than-anticipated real estate tax revenues, 60 million in savings and 40 million in lower-than-expected debt service costs.
The MTA has proposed raising fares an average of 6.5 percent on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North systems. Base fares for subway service would jump from 2 dollars to 2.25 dollars.
It said fare hikes in 2008 and 2010 are necessary to raise about 560 million dollars as the agency faces billions in future debt.
From Nov. 5 to Nov. 13, the authority held a series of eight public hearings: one in each borough and one each in West Nyack, Farmingdale and White Plains.
The public expressed overwhelming opposition to the increase, and MTA leaders suggested that they take public concerns seriously.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article