Quantcast

Paterson vows Albany will save free MetroCards for students

Paterson vows Albany will save free MetroCards for students
By Philip Newman

Gov. David Paterson has offered hope of saving the free school MetroCards threatened by the MTA’s drastic cuts because of the agency’s financial straits.

“The revenues are making me feel that we will be able to eliminate the charge on the MetroCards,” Paterson told KISS-FM radio. “Within the next two weeks, I will have a positive announcement.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, faced with a massive financial problem, has a plan for massive cuts in service, including shutdown of two subway lines and elimination of 21 bus lines. The plan would also end free MetroCards for students, a decision that has brought protest demonstrations and widespread public outcry.

It was a different tune from Paterson than on Dec. 14, when he said, “My hands are tied” as far as rescuing the schoolchildren’s MetroCards. “We don’t have any money to give them.”

The MTA is, by some measurements, in worse financial condition than just over a year ago when it announced a “doomsday” plan for massive service cuts.

In the meantime, the present economy has produced slumping tax receipts and revenue from a legislative bailout plan that included a 12-county payroll tax that has brought in hundreds of millions of dollars less than expected.

Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 136.