Statement On The State Budget's Failure To Address The Revenue Crisis

With the legislature and governor reaching agreement on the budget overnight, Transportation Alternatives urges New York's public officials immediately look to the future and address the revenue crisis facing public transit. While the budget averted additional cuts to public transportation funding, it also did not restore the $100 million already stolen from the MTA, and it failed to provide sustainable revenue to guarantee that transit riders won't face more cuts in the future. Transportation Alternatives' Executive Director, Paul Steely White, highlighted the need for public transit funding:

"Our state government has managed to stave off additional cuts to a public necessity that millions of New Yorkers rely on every day. But the future looks bleak for transit riders and New York's way of life unless our elected officials demonstrate serious leadership and provide sustainable funding for the system. Our government must be able to afford its responsibility to provide New Yorkers with safe and accessible public transit."

Transportation Alternatives credits its Rider Rebellion campaign for helping to keep funding theft to a minimum. Strong support from advocates and labor is now bolstered by a growing number of empowered riders who are becoming advocates for the public transit system.

"Thousands of ordinary people have made their voices heard in the Rider Rebellion campaign and demanded our government live up to its obligation to provide a safe, clean, affordable and efficient public transit system," said White. "We are organizing riders and community groups across the boroughs to document the real-world consequences of funding cuts: fare hikes, disappearing subway lines, overflowing garbage and swarming rats. We will help riders report their experience to their representatives and empower them to stand up for the service every New Yorker deserves."

Transportation Alternatives was founded in 1973 and is New York's leading advocacy organization for public transit, bicycling, and walking.

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