MTA Greenlights Partial Service Restorations, Albany Must Invest In Full Restoration

Today, the MTA announced a partial restoration of the massive transit service cuts New Yorkers endured in 2010.

"The riders spoke and the MTA listened," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation. "Now, it's time for Governor Cuomo to heed the call for a full restoration of transit service to underserved communities all over the city. The State Government must invest in fair, citywide access to reliable public transportation."

In three consecutive budgets since 2009, state elected officials stole a total of $260 million from dedicated transit funding. These raids caused the worst service cuts and fare hikes in a generation: the loss of two subway lines, 32 bus routes and 570 bus stops. Today, the MTA announced the restoration of service to 13 bus routes, the creation or extension of several more and a permanent extension of the G train to Church Avenue.

"Over the last year, Transportation Alternatives held transit rider town halls across the city, and constituents have told their elected officials over and over again that they need access to reliable public transportation," added White. "In communities like Sheepshead Bay and Crown Heights, the riders we spoke to will be getting the transit service they asked for. Now it's time for other underserved communities to get the service they deserve."

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