Remember all those stories about soaring mass transit use in the summer of 2008, when gas prices soared? Well, here are the first two paragraphs of a story published by the New York Times:
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved a punishing slate of service cuts on Wednesday that would amount to the most significant erosion of New York City’s transit system since its recovery from the ruinous days of the 1980s.
The cuts represent some of the first concrete consequences of a fiscal crisis in New York State that until now had mostly been restricted to ominous words from politicians.
The New York state budget deficit is $6.8 million, according to the NYT. That, of course, is peanuts compared to the budget holes Sacramento has been trying to fill the past few years.
Albany, of course, has long been known for its pugilistic politics. But it’s always surprising to hear New York City — the nation’s capitol of mass transit — cutting transit service.
Among the cuts this time around were two subway lines, service reductions on dozens of bus lines and the elimination of free fares for students.
The cuts represent some of the first concrete consequences of a fiscal crisis in New York State that until now had mostly been restricted to ominous words from politicians.
Categories: Policy & Funding