Service Diversions 08-14
I have just updated the service diversions page with the latest information for the weekend & upcoming week (beyond in some cases). Don’t forget to check in for any changes to the page. I also suggest printing out a copy of the page to use while riding the system. Have a safe & wonderful weekend!
xoxo Transit Blogger
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MTA CEO Does Not Rule Out Fare Hikes
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
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NYDN Editorial: “Great Train Robbery”
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.
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Transit Workers Win Raises Via Arbitration
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.
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MTA To Distribute Express Bus Rider Report Cards
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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