Dear Friend,

I just finished questioning the MTA Chairman, Janno Lieber, during today’s budget hearing on transportation. My colleagues and I made sure to ask for a commitment to increased service and congestion pricing, safety upgrades and the upcoming fare increase. One thing is for sure, the MTA is in financial trouble and I am fighting to fund the MTA in this year's budget. 

The Governor acknowledged that the MTA is facing a financial crisis and put an influx of cash into her budget to help the financially strapped authority. Let's be clear, this proposal is the minimum needed and the state legislature must increase our investment to get the transit system riders deserve. 

Last week I competed against my colleagues to sprint up eight stories of the Smith & 9th Street F/G Station, the highest station in the city to highlight the need for additional investment in the system.

Nearly 40% of the MTA’s operating budget comes from rider revenues, which means to increase revenue riders are usually asked to contribute more. We don’t fund our sanitation, fire, or police services this way, so why should we fund our transit system this way? Increased government funding at the state and local levels would reduce the MTA’s dependence on riders and allow the MTA to shift its focus to initiatives that would increase ridership.

Fully funding our MTA is crucial to maintain service levels, increase accessibility, and improve the lives of NYC commuters. Simply put, the survival of the entire downstate region depends on it.

I’m committed to fighting for an MTA that is reliable, on time, safe, and clean. Let’s fix the transit system together and get our city back!

Andrew

Andrew for New York

725 70th Street, Apt C1

Brooklyn, New York 11228

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