5

MTA CEO Does Not Rule Out Fare Hikes

Posted by
on August 12th, 2009 at 6:43 am

The following story in today’s New York Daily News is just the type of piece that will have the masses screaming bloody murder over the raises awarded to MTA workers via an arbitration panel. The piece focuses on how interim MTA CEO/Executive Director Helena Williams can’t rule out fare hikes due to the 11% raises awarded. Pete Donohue & Adam Lisberg of the New York Daily News have more:

The acting head of the MTA said on Tuesday she can’t rule out a fare hike to pay for raises granted to bus and subway workers, which hiked their pay 11.3% over three years.

“That’s a question that we’re going to have to look at,” said Helena Williams, the MTA’s interim executive director.

“We very much want to maintain an affordable system for our customers … but it’s a challenge.”

Click here for the complete report.

This kind of sentiment echoed already from MTA brass screams of a PR battle between itself & the evil doers who in this case will be the blue collar force that keeps the agency moving on a daily basis. Instead of taking a hard look at how to minimize the effects of these raises before sharing their position, they are quick to cry about how this was not the right decision. It is a foregone conclusion that the general riding public will actually agree with the MTA on this. The negative sentiment shared by many towards the blue collar force of the MTA has always been known & with it comes the attitude that they are undeserving of their salaries. When times are tough economically, the sentiment shifts even further to the belief that if they can’t get raises, no one else can.

I will continue to follow this story as it unfolds & comment on the expected backlash that will ensue.

xoxo Transit Blogger

You might enjoy reading these related entries:
Fare Hike, MTA Finances
2

NYDN Editorial: “Great Train Robbery”

Posted by
on August 12th, 2009 at 6:31 am

Yesterday evening I continued my coverage of TWU Local 100 members winning raises via arbitration. In the last entry on the subject, I commented on how I was shocked at the lack of response from other sources besides the MTA. I spoke too soon as a few hours later, the New York Daily News’ website featured an editorial on the subject. The title alone “Great train robbery: Arbitrator’s foolish giveaway will cost MTA and straphangers millions” tells you what the author’s position is on the subject. Lets take a peak at what was said:

When in a hole, or a subway tunnel, keep digging.

That is what a state arbitrator seems determined to do with the MTA’s massive budget problems.

By awarding transit workers rich raises and smaller health care payments without productivity savings, one man is handing the agency huge and unsustainable costs.

And there’s nothing anyone can do. Except hold your breath and wait for the next fiscal collision, in the form of service cuts, fare hikes or both.

It’s coming down the express track.

The TWU now will enjoy three years of annual raises at 4%, 4% and 3%. Workers will no longer have to pay 1.5% health care premiums on wages for overtime earnings. And gone is the hope that finally, trains operated by one person would be approved on certain subway lines, saving tons on labor expenses.

This will create a $350 million deficit in an operating budget that was balanced only after a painful struggle that ended in a fare hike.

Zuccotti’s reason for the giveaway: The raises follow the pattern Mayor Bloomberg set with city unions.

Click here for the complete report.

During these tough economic times, I can understand that these raises provide sticker shock. However I think it is very unfortunate that hard working employees of the MTA will be treated as people undeserving of their raises. I also find it highly irresponsible for people to pass the buck of the MTA’s financial failure & deficit to the employees. Most are doing their job the right way & deserve to make money to match the needs of living in today’s world. If the finances of the MTA were not screwed by inept white collar individuals who mainly reside in Albany, fair raises such as these would not be such a hot button issue.

You might enjoy reading these related entries:
MTA Finances, Opinions
8

Transit Workers Win Raises Via Arbitration

Posted by
on August 11th, 2009 at 9:38 pm

Yesterday morning I blogged about the exclusive New York Daily News report which talked about transit workers being poised for healthy raises. The report was enough to spark a response from Mayor Bloomberg who yesterday afternoon, warned that riders will have to foot the bill for these raises. Frank Lombardi of the New York Daily News had more in this report:

Mayor Bloomberg sounded the alarm Monday about a looming arbitration deal that will give MTA workers 12% raises, warning that straphangers will end up footing the bill.

“The straphangers of today are going to pay for this increase if, in fact, the arbitration comes out that way,” the mayor said.

“I don’t see how the arbitrators can rule that way if they have to look at the ability to pay, because the straphangers don’t have the ability to pay more.”

The Daily News reported yesterday that an arbitration panel is about to grant raises totaling 12% over three years, at a cost of more than $400 million.

The mayor said the MTA made no provision for raises in the budget it passed three months ago, and such raises would put “a very big hole” in that budget.

The MTA hiked the basic transit fare by 12.5% at the end of June to $2.25 from $2.00, and Bloomberg warned more hikes could be in the cards.

Click here for the complete report.

Now fast forward to earlier today when an arbitration panel officially awarded the raises. This prompted an immediate response from interim MTA CEO/Executive Director Helena Williams who had this to say:

This afternoon the MTA received an arbitration award for TWU Local 100 that includes wage increases of more than 11 percent over three years (2009-2011). This award is extremely disappointing and fails to recognize the economic recession in the region and the impact of this downturn on the MTA. There will be a significant impact on the MTA’s bottom line. The award suggests that the MTA raid its underfunded capital program and rely on one-shot federal stimulus funds to pay for raises. As a further disappointment, the award also rolls back a portion of the employee health care contribution that the MTA won following the 2005 TWU strike. Over the three years of the contract, the award will cost the MTA approximately $350 million more than budgeted: $10 million in 2009, $100 million in 2010 and $240 million in 2011. As a result, the MTA staff will provide the MTA Board with recommendations for balancing the financial plan with the least possible impact on MTA customers. No additional fare increase will be recommended in 2009.

I must admit I am shocked at the lack of press this story is getting as a whole. When it comes to employee wages, the masses come out from all sides voicing pro or anti-worker sentiment. All I have seen so far is a couple of responses to the article I quoted above. The types of responses are what you would expect such as demanding an audit of the MTA for the millions it supposedly stole or whining about Bloomberg. It comes as no surprise to see such responses as the masses are generally clueless on transit policy & the overall reasons as to why the MTA is in the position it currently finds itself in. I will be following this story & seeing what (if any) responses come from it.

You might enjoy reading these related entries:
MTA Finances, TWU
2

MTA To Distribute Express Bus Rider Report Cards

Posted by
on August 11th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

Earlier today, the MTA announced it will be distributing “Rider Report Cards” to riders who use the 36 NYC Transit Express Bus routes and 35 Express Bus routes operated by MTA Bus. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release sent out today:

The Rider Report Card is again being distributed on city express buses to provide customers the chance to grade the ride they receive on the 36 NYC Transit Express Bus routes and 35 Express Bus routes operated by MTA Bus in the 2nd Rider Report Card survey.

Distribution of Express Bus Rider Report Cards began Monday, August 10, and will continue through Friday, August 14, 2009, during the morning rush periods, to the nearly 46,000 NYC Transit Express Bus riders and 40,000 MTA Express Bus riders throughout the five boroughs, announced MTA NYC Transit President Howard H. Roberts, Jr. and MTA Bus President Joseph Smith.

The Express Bus Rider Report Card will be in the same self-mailer format as the Subway Rider Report Card. Separate cards listing routes by borough will be distributed to riders via a seat drop. Riders will be asked to mark the route they ride, and then provide a letter grade (A through F) for each of the 20 different service attributes listed, as well as a grade for the overall performance of the route. Riders will be asked to grade such service attributes as “Reasonable wait times between buses,” “Seat availability,” “Smooth handling of bus,” “Courtesy of bus operators and dispatchers,” and “Reliability of wheelchair lifts.”

“We expect that Express Bus riders will be as forthcoming as they were in November 2007, when they rated overall express bus service a “C.” At that time, customers rated their top three priorities as “Reasonable Wait Times Between Buses,” Bus Operates According To Schedule,” and Seat Availability, ” and we hope we have been able to improve these areas, said NYC Transit President Howard H. Roberts, Jr. Over 10,000 customer responses were received in 2007.

Express Bus Rider Report Cards will be handed out in English, but riders may also complete the survey on the internet in English, Spanish or Chinese at www.mta.info through September 10, 2009.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Buses, MTA Bus, Rider Report Cards
0

MTA Releases Draft Of 2010-14 Capital Program

Posted by
on August 10th, 2009 at 11:42 pm

Earlier today, the MTA released a draft of its 2010-2014 Capital Program along with a 20 year Capital Needs assessment. The agency sent out a press release via e-mail to highlight the announcement:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today released its 2010-2029 Twenty Year Needs and Preliminary 2010-2014 Capital Program for public review and comment. Taken together, these documents identify the MTA’s long-term infrastructure needs and a short-term plan to begin addressing them within current budget expectations. The documents are available online at www.mta.info, where the public can also submit comments.

“The MTA’s capital program is critical to maintaining the system that supports our economy, and we’re pleased to be able to release the plan early to promote transparency and public input,” said Helena E. Williams, MTA Interim Executive Director. “We are ready to manage this capital program budget with new controls in place to mitigate risk, control costs and operate with full accountability.”

Since 1982, the MTA has invested more than $75 billion in six successive programs that have restored the legacy of a system once on the brink of collapse. As a result, ridership levels are the highest since the 1950s, and our infrastructure is more reliable than ever: the distance subway traveled between breakdowns has increased 1800% for subway cars and 670% for buses and more than 500% for commuter rail cars.

The proposed 2010-2029 Twenty Year Needs and Preliminary 2010-2014 Capital Program are based on two guiding principles – rebuild the MTA’s infrastructure and expand its system to accommodate growing demand. The $25.5 billion Proposed Draft 2010-2014 program focuses first and foremost on rebuilding the MTA’s core infrastructure, which makes up 73% of the total program. Many of the proposed investments repair and replace fundamental components of the transit system:

• More than 500 new subway cars, 2,800 buses and 410 rail cars;

• Signal improvements and upgrades for the commuter railroads and subways;

• Station renovations, including the introduction of a new program that targets necessary component improvements; and,

• Improved access for the disabled including audio-visual screens, low-floor buses, elevators, paratransit vehicles and ADA-compliant stations.

Wherever possible, obsolete or inefficient infrastructure will be replaced with smart investments, such as new technologies and innovative services including:

• A new contactless fare payment system to more fully integrate regional travel;

• Real time customer information to allow customers to optimize trip planning;

• Bus rapid transit initiatives, using low-floor buses, off-board fare collection, dedicated bus lanes and signal prioritization to speed bus service;

• New train control systems to increase capacity and safety on subways and commuter railroads; and,

• New subway transfers and strategic commuter rail investments to make the existing system work better for customers.

These rebuilding investments are complemented by investments to expand the system to meet growing regional demand. The MTA’s expansion plan includes the completion of its three critical, ongoing projects and the analysis of a number of new initiatives:

• First phase of the Second Avenue Subway, which will relieve overcrowding on the Lexington Avenue subway lines and carry more than 200,000 customers;

• East Side Access, which will save 76,000 daily customers up to 40 minutes a day by bringing LIRR trains to Grand Central;

• Extension of the 7 subway line to 34th Street and 11th Avenue, which will support development of Manhattan’s Far West Side;

• Study of Staten Island’s North and West Shore travel corridors, which will identify ways to support faster and more reliable transit service on Staten Island;

• Queens Boulevard Corridor study, which will evaluate solutions for meeting today’s high demand and serving projected population and employment growth as well;

• Regional bus analysis to learn about the opportunities and challenges of a more unified regional bus system; and,

• Continued study of Tappan Zee corridor, which will evaluate alternatives for the Bridge, including transit, to reduce congestion and improve mobility.

The $25.5 billion draft plan includes funding assumptions from local, state and federal partners, but requires an additional approximately $10 billion to implement the program as presented. Public input will be incorporated into a revised plan that will be formally presented to the MTA Board in September, before being submitted for final approval in Albany in October, as required by law. The MTA hopes to gain approval of the final plan by January 1, 2010, the effective date of the new five year plan.

The complete draft is available in 3 separate pdf’s. They are:

1. Executive Summary Presentation

2. Proposed MTA Capital Program 2010-2014

3. Twenty Year Capital Needs Assessment

Over the coming days, I will provide my analysis of the draft as well as the 20 year needs assessment.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Capital Program