MTA Warns Of Dire Consequences As State Sits On Request For $29 Billion In Funding
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been explaining to lawmakers up in Albany why they need billions of dollars in funding from the state.
MTA leaders say lawmakers have ignored their request for the $29 billion, and that urgency is increasing to get funding for projects like the Second Avenue subway line or it could come to a halt, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.
MTA Warns Of Dire Consequences As State Sits On Request For $29 Billion In Funding
Straphanger Malcolm said service is already below average and all parties concerned need to get their act together.
"It depends on what time you go in," he said. "If you go in at rush hour it's really hectic. If you go late at night it's like super slow. My line takes forever."
Malcolm said he doesn't really believe that the MTA doesn't have enough money to fix problems with the subway system.
"I feel like this is one of the most important cities in the country, I'm sure they have some money," he said.
Of that $29 billion, the MTA said $20 billion of it is just to keep the system running.
Now the MTA is warning of dire consequences, suggesting future pieces of the Second Avenue subway line could get scrapped and the East Side Access project to extend Long Island Rail Road service into Grand Central Terminal would also be in jeopardy, Schuck reported.
Subway rider Shawn said all sides need to hash it out.
"I can tell they don't have enough money cause a lot of things need to be fixed," he said.
Transit advocates, including the Straphangers Campaign, seem to agree that Albany needs to step up soon, Shuck reported.
