Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

The statewide results, which showed 34% of respondents opposed using state dollars to plug the transit system’s budget gap and 26% were undecided or did not know, came as a surprise to analysts, who expected wider opposition to state intervention.

The agency began its budget process three months ahead of schedule to begin developing options to respond to a projected $12 million to $17 million shortfall. The agency's FY12 operating budget is $444 million.

Revenues expected through 2023 are $3.9 billion, or 25 percent, lower than forecasted in 2008 when voters approved the ST2 expansion plan. The ST2 plan included flexible provisions for delivering the projects during economic downturns including reducing the scope or delaying projects.

The board also authorized the MTA to schedule public hearings regarding some of the service changes included in the budget. The budget does not include a fare increase in 2010, adhering to the schedule identified with the Legislature in the spring.

Commitments to reduce costs up to a total of $1 million on current contracts.