Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel said that the MTA should only consider fare increases to balance its budget as a last resort, and even then said they should be kept to a minimum and every effort should be made to make them temporary.

Rep. Engel said, “The MTA is facing a large budget shortfall because of the failing regional economy, and is talking about raising fares, perhaps even doubling them, to make up the deficit.

“Fares increases should be the last step in balancing the MTA budget. The same economic downturn that is hurting the MTA is taking a far greater toll on the people who use public transit.

“The metropolitan area has as significant population of poor people who can only use public transit. Adding to this population are the newly laid off workers and others who are reduced to working part-time.

“For these people public transit is the only way to get around. I urge the MTA to first look within the agency for places to save, places to cut waste, and, if necessary, to defer projects until a more prosperous time. Even relatively minor savings, such as MTA executives and staff using public transit instead of company cars, will help and will reinforce to the public that the agency is serious about helping.

“These are hard times for everyone, and the MTA must do better than merely passing along the cost to people who can least afford it.”