The MTA voted to make deep service cuts today, including nixing 52 bus routes and wiping out two train lines, in order to balance an upcoming budget after series of state and tax revenue shortfalls.
After voting unanimously, MTA’s top brass went after its largest transit worker union today, calling out the rank-and-file’s recently-awarded fat raises.
CEO Jay Walder decried the whopping $500 million in annual overtime, and said the 35,000 member workforce needs to help the agency drastically reduce costs.
“We must not be afraid to eliminate jobs where they are not necessary,” Walder said.
The drastic service cuts approved by the MTA board today to close a $383 million budget gap – including eliminating dozens of subways and buses, and cutting free student rides and paratransit service – would already include 700 union layoffs.
Board member Nancy Shevell said it seemed like the fare hikes from earlier this year went to TWU Local 100’s “unrealistic” raises and work rules.
“It is really unfair that one huge group is not going to be affected by the economic downturn and another large group, for example, our youth and our disabled and working people are going to pay the price,” she said.
Walder also said the entire MTA — both managers and workers – needed to be drastically reformed.
“We need to take the place apart,” Walder said about the agency. “We need to permanently change the way we do business.”
The budgeted cuts are:
— shutter the W and Z lines and shorten the G and M.
— eliminate and cut dozens of bus routes.
— reduce about 500,000 free student MetroCards to half-fares in 2010.
— cut door-to-door paratransit service and instead bring passengers to nearby accessible transit stops.
— a 10 percent pay cut for MTA administration.
“This budget is terrible,” said board member Jeff Kay.
Elected officials and outraged straphangers lambasted the MTA for choosing that combinatiom of cuts, and asked transit officials to find the cost savings elsewhere.
“You respond to people’s needs slower than the C train and G train on the weekends,” said Councilman Charles Barron.
The sudden shortfall came after Gov. Paterson cut millions in direct aid to the MTA, transit workers were awarded huge raises by a state judge, and payroll tax revenues fell short of state projections.
Board members also shot back at the state for pulling most of its funding for student fares this year, and the city for flat-funding student fares for years as costs rise.
“This is like an abusive relationship with two deadbeat dads,” said board member Doreen Frasca.
Walder stressed that the cuts could still be taken off the table if enough funds are found. There will be a series of public hearings in early 2010.
“This is the beginning, not the end, he said.