The MTA promises to keep rolling out new subway cars, despite its $1.3 billion budget gap.
The cars, to run on the letter lines, are similar to those already on the L, with electronic signs that update the route as the train passes each stop.
The agency yesterday said it would go though with its nearly $1 billion purchase of 382 cars.
“There’s no concern right now that it won’t happen,” said New York City Transit spokesman Charles Seaton. “Remember, these are replacing cars that went into service about 45 years ago.”
The deal is part of a $3.2 billion contract with two firms for 1,662 cars, most of which are already in use or about to be delivered. It helps that the feds are footing 80 percent of the bill.
Bill Henderson, director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, noted that the budget gap doesn’t affect big-ticket items.
“The question,” he said, “is: If you borrow money for investments now, can you pay it off in the long run?”