City, state debate MTA funding

But Council Members Ydanis Rodriguez and Julissa Ferreras say the request would leave city residents paying more than their “fair share”.

Top City Council members told the MTA Wednesday it was misleading the public in the fight over its capital plan budget, according to a letter sent to the MTA chairman.

Rodriguez chairs the Transportation Committee, while Ferreras is in charge of the Finance Committee.

The cost of the plan runs to almost $30 billion through 2019.

Two straphangers filed lawsuits this week against the MTA and the city for the September 11 derailment of a G train in Brooklyn. The city has increased its offer to $2.5 billion, but wants a say in how the money is spent and promises that project funds won’t be redirected to other work. The MTA must provide the people of this city with a reliable working system that serves the most people possible.

Reportedly, de Blasio is looking to kick in another $1 billion under certain conditions, but even so, that’s nowhere close to the city’s suggested contribution. The MTA is seeking $3.2 billion from the city over the next five years – that’s $640 million a year, or 0.9 percent of an annual $70 billion budget.

“It is astonishing to me that the MTA would threaten to hold New York City transit projects hostage for more city money”, said Borough President Melinda Katz. He said the state is committed to using $8 billion to improve the MTA. The TWU has been running print ads comparing de Blasio to a farebeater, as well as a subway operator in charge of a battered train.