View letter

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today urged President Barack Obama to provide funding relief to mass transit riders across the country.

In his letter to President Obama, which can be viewed at www.comptroller.nyc.gov, Thompson wrote:
“Although the nation now confronts many difficult challenges, this issue in particular threatens the economic stability of many of our nation’s cities.”

He continued: “In New York City, the situation is particularly dire….Our state leaders are struggling to devise a funding package that could prevent service cuts and keep fares affordable. These efforts must succeed. But the passage of even the most comprehensive package would fail to cover the newest budget gap estimates – placing New York City at risk of losing more bus service and 24-hour subway service.”

Thompson indicated that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) “doomsday” budget passed in December with more than 300 service reductions and with a significant fare increase. He also indicated that at a minimum of 1,100 employees are expected to be laid off.  

Thompson noted that other transit systems across the country with a total of 22 million daily riders also are facing major service reductions and fare hikes because of funding shortfalls, despite increased ridership.

“Federal funding would have an immediate impact, preserving thousands of jobs and possibly restoring already dismissed workers to their positions,” Thompson wrote. “These are the ‘greenest’ of jobs, since mass transit helps reduce congestion and emissions that cause illness and global warming.”

“Americans are more dependent on mass transit now than ever before,” Thompson said. “Literally hundreds of thousands of individuals depend on transit for their jobs and it is imperative that they receive assistance as well.”

###