9 thousand layoffs and cuts in services: what does the crisis budget of MTA look like

More than 9 people are at risk of being unemployed, in accordance with the MTA budget proposal, which will be presented to the agency's board on November 18. How to avoid this, the newspaper writes New York Post.

Service for the New York subway and MTA buses could be cut by almost half. In this regard, more than 9 thousand employees of the agency run the risk of being unemployed.

The agency is only ready to revise its plans if it receives $ 12 billion from the federal government as part of a new aid package in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. This was announced by senior adviser MTA Ken Lovett (Ken Lovett).

The final decision will be made at a vote by the MTA Board of Directors in December. If assistance is not provided by this time, layoffs will begin, warned the MTA.

Lisa Daglian of Citizens Advisory Committee, MTA's internal advocacy group, said the cuts at MTA could hurt passengers too. “We need help, and we need it now,” Daglian said.

Employees of the MTA buses and metro will feel the hardest impact of the cuts. They account for most of the layoffs - more than 8000 jobs.

The MTA budget is proposed to be cut by $ 1,1 billion, which corresponds to a 40 percent cut in metro service on weekdays.

Commuter railways operated by the MTA, such as Long Island and Metro-North, will lose about $ 250 million and about 1000 workers as planned.

Overall, the service offer is over $ 1,4 billion, although the actual savings for the MTA are expected to be slightly lower at around $ 1,3 billion.

TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano rejected the budget proposal and asked the MTA to develop a new plan. "The MTA budget proposal is an outrageous and cowardly surrender to the coronavirus and a slap in the face for every transport worker," said Utano, representing 40 transport workers. - Go back to the drawing board and come up with real solutions. Throwing thousands of workers on the street and leaving entire neighborhoods unattended is not an option. "

As writes edition Daily News, if the new financial plan is approved, it could be the beginning of the end of the way of life habitual for New Yorkers. This will be especially noticeable during a pandemic, when it is extremely important to maintain social distance so as not to contract the virus.

On the subject: 15 minutes to an hour: MTA may increase public transit waiting times

The expected increase in fares will worsen the situation even more. However, MTA has not yet announced how much it plans to raise tariffs.

Fares typically rise by 4% every two years, but in August transit officials threatened to raise the cost of the MetroCard from $ 2,75 to $ 3,75 - or 36% - if federal aid did not arrive.

They also plan to save money by reducing service.

On weekends, the metro service will be completely suspended, and the train schedule on weekdays, according to the MTA plan, will be reduced by 40%.

Even so, cuts - along with reallocating $ 1,5 billion in daily operating costs until 2023 - won't cover the AIT deficit until next year, officials admit.

ITA chairman Pat Foye said at a November 17 press conference that no one at the agency wants to cut services or jobs. “But we will have to if the federal government does not provide funding for us,” he said.

“We're moving forward hoping for the best but preparing for the worst,” MTA spokesman Ken Lovett said Tuesday night, noting that the agency is still hoping for $ 12 billion in federal aid. "If federal aid comes in that amount, we will adjust our spending plan accordingly."

MTA board members will be informed about the financial plan on Wednesday 18 November. The plan could be changed before the final vote is taken in December.