This summer, New Yorkers have heard politicians talk a lot about ‘gas tax holidays' to help working and middle-class Americans drive their cars. But how about a little assistance for mass transit commuters, too?
NYLCV President Marcia Bystryn joins elected officials, labor leaders and environmentalists in calling for federal assistance.The New York League of Conservation Voters, the political voice for New York's environmental community, is joining elected, labor and environmental leaders in calling on Congress to provide immediate funding for mass transit expansion and immediate fuel subsidies for public transit.
NYLCV President Marcia Bystryn joined a press conference on the steps of New York City Hall, organized by Staten Island City Council Member Michael McMahon, in support of a resolution in the City Council that will urge Washington's action on the issue. Transit Workers Union Local 100, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and several elected officials also joined the effort.
"Federal relief at the gas pump is not enough. It's time for Washington to give us relief at the farebox as well," Bystryn said.
According to the MTA New York City Ridership statistics for the first quarter of 2008, mass transit ridership was up 36.31 million from the first quarter of 2007. As a result, overcrowding of the already taxed system occurs daily for commuters. In addition, the NYC MTA has increased fares twice in the last three years to cover infrastructure improvements, and general operating costs.
If ridership continues to increase because of high fuel costs, it is inevitable that NYC will again feel the pressure of a fare increase in order to cover the demand on the system the increased ridership is creating. As this demand for public transit increases with the rise of fuel costs, an enormous strain is put on the rail transit systems, which are in desperate need of upgrades, expansions and operating funds.
On Wednesday, the MTA voted to seek an 8 percent increase in revenue from fares and tolls, to take effect July 2009, but also an additional 5 percent to take effect by January 2011 — for a cumulative increase of 13.4 percent over just 18 months, reported the New York Times [1]. In presenting its preliminary budget for the 2009 fiscal year, the authority made no attempt to conceal what it considers to be its worst fiscal situation since the economic downturn that followed 9/11.
"With the rising price of gasoline, consumers are looking to alternate ways to commute to work, resulting in increased ridership on all levels of transit. Congress needs to step up to the plate and assure that public transportation options expand and remain affordable to all commuters," says City Councilman Michael E. McMahon. "Fuel subsidies and investment in the expansion and operations of mass transit are critical to meet this increased demand."