Offering free bus routes and promising to further cut wait times on subway trains, a group of state lawmakers wants to bring back people who stopped using public transportation because of the pandemic.
“Well, I’m really a working woman and I’d like some help, that would be great,” said MTA rider Rosanna Celestino.
It’s one more idea that tries to reduce the $1.3 billion deficit afflicting the MTA, believing in the concept ‘if you try it and like it, you’ll stay’.
But despite the good intentions of politicians, the customers we spoke to agree that the cost of a bus or train is the least of the problems.
“I think that if they pay a ‘chin’ more attention to the crime that is happening, I think that people would return to use public transport with more security,” said Henry Arias, another user.
“More buses, cleaning, and that there are more. Look for example, that’s a 7, I’m waiting for the 100 and it hasn’t arrived yet,” Winifred Layton said next to her.
The pilot program gives the transportation system $50 million in the state budget to offer two free bus routes in each of the five boroughs.
What would be the chosen ones? It is not known.
“We are evaluating the routes. If it is approved and financed, we will be ready to implement it,” said the president of the Transit Authority, Richard Davey, on Friday.
The legislators affirm that the project has been positive in other cities of the country.
One of the legislators behind the bill is state senator Julia Salazar who posted a message on social media on the general issue of the MTA.
“#FixtheMTA and let’s invest in public transportation. That means our final budget must reject a fare freeze, fund a 6-minute service, and include free bus pilot funding!
“It’s time to make our public transportation system truly accessible and affordable for New Yorkers,” the senator wrote.
Let’s #FixtheMTA and invest in public transit. That means our final budget must reject a fare freeze, fund 6 minute service, and include free bus pilot funding!
It’s time to make our public transit system truly accessible and affordable for New Yorkers. pic.twitter.com/B5kcwCWUlF
— State Senator Julia Salazar (@SalazarSenate) March 22, 2023
We sought a statement from MTA CEO Janno Lieber, but it was not forthcoming.
Lieber emphasized last month before a panel that his priority is the fiscal deficit, while his critics and users argue that with the improvement of services, users and money will come in addition.
Governor Kathy Hochul would also have to adopt the idea and include it in the final budget on April 1. Otherwise, she would be in the way.
