Malliotakis, Tannousis protest MTA's plans to raise fares and tolls
Despite looming holes in the MTA's budget, two Republican lawmakers voiced their opposition to rate hikes now under consideration.
Republican lawmakers Nicole Malliotakis and Michael Tannousis protested the MTA's plans to raise fares and tolls Monday.
The Congresswoman and State Assemblyman held a news briefing outside of the 77th Street subway station in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
They called on Gov. Kathy Hochul and their fellow lawmakers to cut state spending to address the agency's budget gaps instead of passing the costs onto commuters.
Last week, the MTA announced that it was considering an increase to next year's scheduled fare and toll hikes.
The MTA says it is staring at a $600 million deficit as a result of the pandemic causing a dramatic reduction in ridership.
Chief Financial Officer Kevin Willens proposed an increase of 5.5%, rather than the planned 4% hike.
He said the MTA is facing revenue shortfalls in excess of $2 billion per year despite the agency still having unused federal pandemic relief money.
MTA Chief of External Relations John J. McCarthy released the following statement:
"As members of Congress are well aware, federal funding received during the pandemic continues to be used to run service - including on Staten Island and in South Brooklyn - to ensure nurses, grocery workers, first responders, teachers and other New Yorkers could get to jobs, healthcare and other critical destinations. Every bill that brought essential support to transit agencies, keeping trains and buses operating during a national emergency, included federal audit provisions that don't require grandstanding by politicians to activate."
UP CLOSE WITH BILL RITTER: MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber discusses budget deficits
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