Good Morning, Chairman Liu and members of the City Council Transportation Committee. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to testify, as Public Advocate for the City of New York, in support of City Council Resolution No. 496.
New York City’s mass transit system is the largest in the nation by far, and one of the largest in the world.[1] New York City transit riders make up 84% of the state’s transit riders. More than six million New Yorkers use mass transit everyday.
Our extensive transit system makes the city a good place to do business. Mass transit also reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. Because of mass transit’s critical importance to the city, we must keep service efficient and affordable. I oppose a fare hike. I oppose service cuts.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority must make public all documentation that indicates the financial situation of the system. The public needs this information if we are to make any sound and equitable decisions about mass transit in our city. The Governor would rather talk about this subject after the election when votes are not at stake. That’s why the end date for the Transit Workers contract was moved to after Election Day.
The Governor should make a pledge now to save the fare. Increasing the transit fare would hurt the city’s ability to attract business. After September 11th, many businesses left New York City for New Jersey, Westchester and Connecticut. The cost of living for employees is an important factor in business location.[2]
One out of four New Yorkers already pay more than half of their income on rent. Both low-income and middle-income families have trouble making ends meet. A higher transit fare compounds their problems and makes the city less attractive to business.
New York lost 100,000 jobs as a result of September 11th. The unemployment rate is now at a high of 7.6 percent. A fare hike could have a dampening effect on the city’s economy. The administration has been trying to move welfare recipients from dependency to work. Studies have found that the cost of transportation is a barrier to this population when seeking employment. A transit hike would also surely impact those New Yorkers living on fixed incomes, such as the elderly and the disabled.
Before making any decisions affecting mass transit, we must look over the MTA’s financial situation and consider the impact on New Yorkers. We are facing economic hardships and I appreciate the difficult task that lies ahead for the MTA. However, in times like these all of us; business, labor and government must come together and set priorities. And I believe that our number one priority must be saving the fare and maintaining the services of the region’s critical mass transit system. We cannot abandon our straphangers.
Again, thank you for this opportunity to testify.
|
