Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Budget and Finances

Senate Standing Committee on Transportaion
Chair: Senator Joseph E. Robach
Senate Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Capital Investment
Chair: Senator Carl L Marcellino
Public Hearing: To examine the changes necessary to prevent annual operating deficits, stop the continuing cycle of increased fares and decreased services, and discuss funding options for the Capital Plan.
Place: Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room A , Albany, NY
Time: 10:30 A.M.
Contact: Debbie Peck Kelleher (518) 455-2390
Media Contact: Kathy Wilson 516 922-1811, Steve Barz 585-225-3650
ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Oral Testimony by Invitation Only 

Monday, March 2, 2015

10:30 am

Hearing Room A

Legislative Office Building

Albany, NY 12247

SUBJECT:      Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Budget and Finances 

PURPOSE:     To examine the changes necessary to prevent annual operating deficits, stop the continuing cycle of increased fares and decreased services, and discuss funding options for the Capital Plan. 

The MTA is implementing a number of cost saving actions for the current operating budget to be balanced.  Even with these actions, the MTA will have a predicted operating budget deficit of $322 million in 2018.  The proposed $32.1 billion capital program for 2015-2019 has a funding gap of $15.2 billion, almost half of the total costs.  

The purpose of this Hearing is to investigate the serious financial problems at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.  The Infrastructure and Capital Investment, and Transportation Committees will convene to examine what changes need to be made to prevent predicted deficits, stop the continuing cycle of increased fares and decreased services, and discuss funding options for the Captial Plan. 

Oral testimony will be accepted by invitation only and limited to 10 minutes in duration.  15 copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.  Written testimony will also be accepted and may be sent to the contact person listed on the reply form. In order to further publicize the hearing, please inform interested parties of the Committees’ interest in receiving written testimony from all sources.  

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Legislature, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities.  For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Legislative facilities and activities. 

Senator Carl L. Marcellino, Chairman

Senate Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Capital Investment 

Senator Joseph Robach

Senate Standing Committee on Transportation