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The M.T.A. Needs Help. Now. The M.T.A. Needs Help. Now.
(about 1 hour later)
While the country responds to the Covid-19 pandemic, mass-transit employees continue to show up day after day to ensure that emergency medical workers and other critical personnel can do their jobs for the people of New York. That’s why it’s so disheartening to watch as some in Washington use mass-transit funding as political currency.While the country responds to the Covid-19 pandemic, mass-transit employees continue to show up day after day to ensure that emergency medical workers and other critical personnel can do their jobs for the people of New York. That’s why it’s so disheartening to watch as some in Washington use mass-transit funding as political currency.
Mass transit continues to be the lifeblood of New York, even as the frenetic city hits pause to ensure our collective health and safety.Mass transit continues to be the lifeblood of New York, even as the frenetic city hits pause to ensure our collective health and safety.
We are in uncharted waters. Ridership has sunk to never-before-seen lows: subway ridership down by a startling 76 percent, buses by 62 percent, Metro North by 94 percent and the Long Island Rail Road by 71 percent. In a normal year, farebox revenue constitutes nearly half of the M.T.A. annual budget — about $8 billion. That’s on top of more than $6 billion in state and local taxes dedicated to the M.T.A. that is likely to evaporate in the inevitable downturn. Additionally, our top priority is the safety of our customers and employees, and we expect the aggressive disinfecting efforts undertaken to protect them to total over $300 million on an annualized basis.We are in uncharted waters. Ridership has sunk to never-before-seen lows: subway ridership down by a startling 76 percent, buses by 62 percent, Metro North by 94 percent and the Long Island Rail Road by 71 percent. In a normal year, farebox revenue constitutes nearly half of the M.T.A. annual budget — about $8 billion. That’s on top of more than $6 billion in state and local taxes dedicated to the M.T.A. that is likely to evaporate in the inevitable downturn. Additionally, our top priority is the safety of our customers and employees, and we expect the aggressive disinfecting efforts undertaken to protect them to total over $300 million on an annualized basis.
The scale of the operating budget deficits the M.T.A. and other agencies face is unprecedented.The scale of the operating budget deficits the M.T.A. and other agencies face is unprecedented.
This is an extraordinary time calling for extraordinary measures. Congress needs to get that message — that it’s crucial that the coronavirus relief package include at least $25 billion in funding for mass transit to ensure that the M.T.A. and systems across the country not only continue to operate through the crisis, but also serve as the catalyst for economic growth once the pandemic subsides and the country’s pulse begins beating again.This is an extraordinary time calling for extraordinary measures. Congress needs to get that message — that it’s crucial that the coronavirus relief package include at least $25 billion in funding for mass transit to ensure that the M.T.A. and systems across the country not only continue to operate through the crisis, but also serve as the catalyst for economic growth once the pandemic subsides and the country’s pulse begins beating again.
Recent congressional proposals to boost mass transit have been completely insufficient for the true need. The M.T.A. has been clear: We need at least $4 billion to fill sudden, precipitous declines in M.T.A. ridership and therefore corresponding drops in farebox revenues. Public transportation agencies in other large cities around the United States have been similarly affected.Recent congressional proposals to boost mass transit have been completely insufficient for the true need. The M.T.A. has been clear: We need at least $4 billion to fill sudden, precipitous declines in M.T.A. ridership and therefore corresponding drops in farebox revenues. Public transportation agencies in other large cities around the United States have been similarly affected.
This a national problem that requires a national solution. It is incumbent on Washington to act quickly and decisively. Every day that a comprehensive stimulus package doesn’t pass is another day closer to the financial collapse of transit agencies. We thank congressional Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi; the Senate minority leader, Charles Schumer; and New York’s bipartisan congressional delegation for recognizing the importance of this issue.This a national problem that requires a national solution. It is incumbent on Washington to act quickly and decisively. Every day that a comprehensive stimulus package doesn’t pass is another day closer to the financial collapse of transit agencies. We thank congressional Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi; the Senate minority leader, Charles Schumer; and New York’s bipartisan congressional delegation for recognizing the importance of this issue.
We planned for disruptions. But never of this scale.We planned for disruptions. But never of this scale.
Last week, the M.T.A. used a $1 billion line of credit to improve liquidity in the short term. But this is not a comprehensive or long-term solution. The M.T.A. had also already committed to finding $2.8 billion in savings over the next four years. But an agency of our size cannot simply cut its way out of this crisis.Last week, the M.T.A. used a $1 billion line of credit to improve liquidity in the short term. But this is not a comprehensive or long-term solution. The M.T.A. had also already committed to finding $2.8 billion in savings over the next four years. But an agency of our size cannot simply cut its way out of this crisis.
Scaling back service isn’t enough, and we refuse to turn back the clock and gut critical investments that will provide our customers with the modern system they deserve. Such a huge blow would come at a time when we have achieved tremendous progress. Across our system — subways, buses and commuter railroads alike — on-time performance has achieved sustained improvement, and ridership was steadily growing, defying national trends.Scaling back service isn’t enough, and we refuse to turn back the clock and gut critical investments that will provide our customers with the modern system they deserve. Such a huge blow would come at a time when we have achieved tremendous progress. Across our system — subways, buses and commuter railroads alike — on-time performance has achieved sustained improvement, and ridership was steadily growing, defying national trends.
The M.T.A.’s hard-working and caring employees face the same challenges as everyone else. They are frightened and unsure of what happens next. But they are showing up every day, knowing what they do matters. They are on the front lines, moving the health care professionals, emergency medical workers, and grocery, utility and child care workers who are quite literally keeping the country and our society functioning through the crisis.The M.T.A.’s hard-working and caring employees face the same challenges as everyone else. They are frightened and unsure of what happens next. But they are showing up every day, knowing what they do matters. They are on the front lines, moving the health care professionals, emergency medical workers, and grocery, utility and child care workers who are quite literally keeping the country and our society functioning through the crisis.
The fact is that the nation needs a strong New York to fully rebound from the coronavirus pandemic — after all, the state produces nearly 10 percent of the entire county’s G.D.P. The M.T.A. is vital to the region’s economic success — opening employment opportunities for millions of residents, while connecting them to cultural, retail and educational hubs across New York City to Long Island, Westchester and Connecticut. The fact is that the nation needs a strong New York to fully rebound from the coronavirus pandemic — after all, the state produces nearly 10 percent of the entire country’s G.D.P. The M.T.A. is vital to the region’s economic success — opening employment opportunities for millions of residents, while connecting them to cultural, retail and educational hubs across New York City to Long Island, Westchester and Connecticut.
Let’s be clear: The city, the state and the nation will overcome this. The M.T.A. will be here, but it’s crucial we are able to operate at a level that will help jump-start the New York economy. It’s imperative we pick up where we left off in improving the system — resuming growth once we move past this crisis.Let’s be clear: The city, the state and the nation will overcome this. The M.T.A. will be here, but it’s crucial we are able to operate at a level that will help jump-start the New York economy. It’s imperative we pick up where we left off in improving the system — resuming growth once we move past this crisis.
Businesses, families, governments and all who have been affected by this pandemic need federal government relief. Mass-transit systems, including the M.T.A., are no different. Our workers showed up after the Sept. 11 attack and Hurricane Sandy. They are on their jobs again despite unprecedented challenges.Businesses, families, governments and all who have been affected by this pandemic need federal government relief. Mass-transit systems, including the M.T.A., are no different. Our workers showed up after the Sept. 11 attack and Hurricane Sandy. They are on their jobs again despite unprecedented challenges.
Without federal help, New York and the rest of the country will suffer. Washington cannot waste any more time. The moment for bold and decisive leadership is now.Without federal help, New York and the rest of the country will suffer. Washington cannot waste any more time. The moment for bold and decisive leadership is now.
Patrick J. Foye is chairman and C.E.O. of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Patrick J. Foye is chairman and chief executive of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
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