Archive for July, 2008
Cigarette Taxes To Starve Off A Fare Hike?
Mayor Bloomberg sure seems to think so. According to him, the uncollected taxes on cigarettes sold on Indian reservations could starve off at least one of the two potential fare hikes facing commuters. David Seifman of the New York Post filed the brief report:
NEW ORLEANS - Mayor Bloomberg blew smoke in the MTA’s face over [...]
MTA Contiues To Throw Money Away
In the span of 5 days, New York Daily News Transit reporter Pete Donohue wrote 2 articles highlighting how the MTA has thrown money away due to poor operational practices. The first story showcased how bus drivers were compensated for nearly 19,000 hours of overtime which was not needed. Here is a brief sample of [...]
Do We Really Need All These Executives?
According to the MTA they do as the recently released 2009 preliminary budget plan by the MTA features calls for the elimination of approximately 500 jobs. Unsurprising to most, none of those jobs are “suits” within MTA Headquarters. Pete Donohue of the Daily News has the report:
The MTA plans on cutting hundreds of positions from [...]
Watch CNN While Waiting For A Train
Lost amidst the recent financial negativity from last Wednesday’s MTA Board Meeting was the announcement of a possible partnership between themselves & CNN. Helen Kennedy of the New York Daily News has the brief story:
Coming soon to a subway platform near you: Wolf Blitzer.
The MTA is exploring a partnership with CNN to install TV screens [...]
MTA Expects Ridership To Fall Flat In 2009
A few days ago Matthew Sweeney of AMNY had a report about the MTA’s projection for 2009 ridership numbers to fall flat. Here is his report:
After more than a decade of growth in transit ridership, the MTA is predicting that bus and subway straphanger numbers will fall flat in 2009.
Ridership on subways has grown dramatically [...]
Subway General Manager Program Coming Soon
Caught in the mess of what has been a really negative amount of press for the MTA was MTA CEO/Executive director announcing plans to have a general manager for each individual subway line. Pete Donohue had the report:
The MTA is gearing up for a major subway management shakeup to improve service on the debt-ridden, delay-plagued [...]
The Nepotism Continues
A story that has come up a couple of times on this blog was the rerouting of the Q54 to serve the Shops at Atlas Park. Many have felt the reroute was a clear sign of nepotism to benefit MTA Board Chairman Dale Hemmerdinger who happens to be the co-owner & president of ATCO Properties [...]
My Thoughts On The Proposed Fare Hikes
As I had mentioned previously, I wanted to attend yesterday’s presentation of the MTA’s financial plan & preliminary budget. Unfortunately due to business appointments in Long Island, I could not make it. However I did take the time to watch the entire board meeting & subsequent presentation live via the MTA’s webcast.
The board meeting in [...]
