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Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 18:48:52 EST
Subject: Fwd: Fares Already Too High! Incident: 041103-000169
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Subject: Fares Already Too High! Incident: 041103-000169
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Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support
center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.
Subject
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Fares Already Too High!
Discussion Thread
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Response (Doug Sussman) - 11/04/2004 08:16 AM
Dear: Carl Perrera,
Thank you for your comments on MTA 2005 Preliminary Budget, which proposes a=
number of fare and toll increases, as well as cost reductions and service o=
ptions designed to balance the 2005 operating budget.
During the past year, the MTA and its operating agencies have been working t=
o develop a realistic operating plan for the years 2005 through 2008. As ex=
pected, and as we disclosed very publicly last fall, and at several juncture=
s this year, the MTA is facing substantial budget gaps in each of the next s=
everal years, due primarily to increasing debt service costs to support our=20=
current 5-year capital improvement plan, and increasing pension, health, and=
welfare costs for our workers. We recognize that these projected costs for=20=
operations cannot, and should not, be offset by fare and toll increases alon=
e. Accordingly, we have identified other internal savings.=20
Over the past months, each MTA agency has identified administrative and serv=
ice programs to eliminate the budget gap that will bring in about $248 milli=
on for 2005. To complete a balanced budget for 2005, we need to identify an=
additional $219 million in fare and toll revenues. This carefully crafted f=
inancial plan will be the subject of public discussion over the coming month=
s, including public hearings. Detailed information on the financial plan is=20=
already posted on the MTA website www.mta.info, and public hearings have bee=
n announced to actively solicit customer comments and suggestions on the pla=
n. Following the public hearings and open discussion, the MTA Board will ado=
pt the 2005 budget in December.=20
=20
Our unremitting goal is to balance the needs of our riders, with the continu=
ed maintenance of our high service standards, and the welfare and safety of=20=
our workers.=20
Your interest and involvement in this process is most appreciated.
Sincerely,
Douglas R. Sussman
Director
Community Affairs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Auto-Response - 11/03/2004 11:22 PM
Dear Carl Perrera:
The MTA is in receipt of your comments on the MTA 2005 Preliminary Budget, w=
hich includes a number of fare and toll, and cost reductions and service opt=
ions designed to balance the operating budget.=20
You will receive a response to your comments, which will be added to the off=
icial record of the public hearings, within the next 15 days. In the meanti=
me, please refer to the MTA website www.mta.info for information on the publ=
ic hearings.
Your interest and involvement in this process is most appreciated.
Customer (Carl Perrera) - 11/03/2004 11:22 PM
It's not the riding public's fault that the MTA took on too much debt to fun=
d previous capital projects that fares have too be risen where it will becom=
e a financial hardship for many city and surburban residents to ride the sub=
ways, buses and commuter rails. It's time the MTA seek a new revenue source=
to fund current and future operating deficits and current and future captit=
al projects. I would like to suggest that the MTA seek assistence by creati=
ng partnerships with private corporations such as the Fortune 500 companies=20=
and other medium and large businessess that could contribute funds to the MT=
A in exchange for Federal, New York State and New York City Tax Deductions a=
nd/or tax credits. Large corporations that have their main headquarters in=
New York City or other parts of New
York State and employ numerous workers may want to join this proposed progra=
m. Any large contributions per month or per year over a certain dollar amou=
nt from these corporations to the MTA could be allowed to have someone from=20=
their corporation become part of a special board that would keep track of wh=
ere they wanted their contributions to be allocated towards whether it be a=20=
long term capital project(s), enhanced security or just for current operatin=
g expenses. Since transportation is a vital resource for both our City and=20=
State it's time that the MTA join forces with the private sector so that the=
economic future of our City and State would become second to none. If this=
were done fares may not have to be raised but better fare incentives be est=
ablished so that more commuters that
now drive would switch to the commuter rails, subways and buses. For exampl=
e allowing free weeekly and monthly MetroCards with weekly and monthly commu=
ter rail tickets so that commuter rail passengers won't have too pay an addi=
tional fare when they switch to a subway or bus. Allowing commuter rail fif=
teen percent Ten Trip Peak Discounts similar to that of Off-Peak Ten Trip Di=
scounts. Allowing unlimited transfers within a two-hour period with a Pay-Pe=
r-Ride MetroCard. The MTA needs to encourage more ridership by providing gr=
ateater discounts as described above not discourage ridership by increasing=20=
fares. As I said earlier lets find a new source of income by allowing the p=
rivate sector to contribute to the MTA to help fund current and future opera=
ting expenses and current and future
capital projects.=20
Sincerely,
Carl Perrera
Question Reference #041103-000169
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MTA Service: Financial Plan
Category: Financial Plan Comment
Date Created: 11/03/2004 11:22 PM
Last Updated: 11/04/2004 08:16 AM
Status: Closed
Date/Time of Event:=20
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