December 04-2008:
The New York-MTA Budget Crunch & Fare Increase Proposals!
Historically, the New York City transit systems were and is the life line of the city's economic survival. Commuters from within the five boroughs, Long Island, and New Jersey use this transit system to get to and from work, for shopping, visiting the theaters, cafes, and restaurants, in this internationally recognized and much visited city.
However, in recent years the MTA executives have been complaining of inadequate commuter traffic, inadequate revenue to keep the service viable, and inadequate state assistance. And several fare increases were introduced, much to the dismay, annoyance, and the inability to prevent these increases by the commuters, who MUST use this system on a daily basis.
Internal Overall:
* I feel that an internal overhaul of the entire transit system is necessary right now:
* Revisiting the budget (line by line), in order to eliminate those units, services, or departments that have become redundant, inefficient, cost consuming, and out of date:
* Discontinuing those services that are un-necessary at this time. Wherever they are found, and introducing more effective and cost consuming services wherever necessary:
Worker's Management:
There are some shift workers who do maintenance services on the lines during certain times. These people MUST be made more productive. Especially those shifts or individuals who are IDLE, and awaiting some ample time when they can get their work done. And while they wait, idleness, leaving the job site on personal business, and personal imbibing, have been observed by members of the commuter public at times too.
If this organization is to become more efficient, removing redundancy, idle workers, un-productive workers, and FREEZING any wage increments for the next two or three years are a MUST, in order to survive this crisis.
Property Tax Exemptions For Big Business:
The Mayor and Governor of New York City have for years been allowing some big businesses TAX exemptions for a number of years, in order to encourage or seduce them to build, or place their headquarters in New York City. These tax exemptions which are vitally necessary for the development of infrastructure work in the city, is reduced, due to this UNWISE policy decision/s.
Until such inducements and tax exemptions are dis-continued, New York City coffers will continue to suffer from financial problems, and an un-balanced budget for years.
Commuter Safety Concerns:
Commuters are entitled to have the best service possible from the New York City MTA. That is why we have (by and large) allowed, or made personal provision or allowances for increased travelling fees, from time to time. But 'enough is enough.'
Commuters are dependent upon jobs that provide affordable wages or incomes, in order to survive, thrive, and travel within and without New York City. And if we are faced with haphazard and continuous fare increases. Then it would be incumbent upon commuters who work here, or seek employment here, to seek other areas that are conducive and affordable.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania are areas that economic development is increasing. And if president elect Barack Obama keep his promises to invest in national infrastructure work within the states. Then commuters have more options to move elsewhere in search for employment.
Finally:
I urge the Mayor of New York City, the MTA authorities, and the Governor or New York State, to review seriously the proposals for fare hikes. And if they do not, prepare for the consequences of their action/s.
Consumers can be very creative with their incomes, if the situation so warrants!
The MTA Fare Hike Proposal Currently!
A suggested 33 cents per $100.00 dollar earned from employer's (Payrolls) , which would be allocated to the MTA's Lock Box.
This Lock Box is the name of the fund that these monies will be allocated to, for the provision of funding for the following:
* Fixed & Movable MTA Assets:
* Repairs of assets:
* Replacement of assets:
* Maintenance of assets such as, Trains, Coaches, Tracks, Buses, and other related infrastructure needs:
Commuters:
A suggested raise of the commuter or straphanger's fares will be 8%.
All of the above is still to be ratified by the MTA, the City and State authorities, and MTA union officials.
Derryck.
New York City.
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