12 APRIL 23, 2020 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
MTA must stay rolling in virus crisis
Losing millions of dollars each week,
the MTA nevertheless continues to
provide subway and bus service
for the essential workers, keeping this
city going while everyone else is stuck
at home.
Ridership is down up to 90 percent
system-wide during the coronavirus
pandemic. The MTA has taken staggering
fi nancial losses and has seen
thousands of its workforce sickened by
the virus; more than 50 staff ers have
died as a result.
Yet, the MTA keeps rolling on. Why?
Because the working class depends on
it.
How else would health care workers
get to the hospital? How else would a
grocery store clerk get to their shop to
keep the shelves properly stocked? How
would daycare employees get to their
centers to watch the children of other
essential workers?
Not everyone can aff ord a car or a
daily taxi or Uber ride to and from
work. The city’s mass transit system, for
all its well-documented faults through
the years, is the lifeblood of New York
City. When it shuts down, the city shuts
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The MTA should continue to operate despite recent calls to shut down subways and buses. Photo by Todd Maisel
down, period.
mainly because it poses an expensive
Over the weekend, four New York
question: Who pays for it?
City Council members — Robert Holden,
The state could make pricey deals
Peter Koo and Eric Ulrich of Queens, and
with cab base operators to pay for all
Mark Gjonaj from The Bronx — wrote to
the rides (and the drivers’ expenses)
Governor Andrew Cuomo asking that
at the taxpayer’s expense, or negotiate
he order that subways and buses be shut
discounted fares to give essential
down during the pandemic due to the
workers a break — though it wouldn’t
virus’ easy communicability.
be much of one.
They called upon the state to partner
The reality is a $2.75 ride on a subway
with for-hire vehicles to keep essential
is still far cheaper than cab rides at halffare.
workers moving.
But that plan is seriously flawed,
It’s said that “the road to hell is paved
with good intentions.” This car-focused
appeal to shut the MTA down certainly
travels that road.
The MTA has already dismissed this
plan, and we expect Cuomo to do the
same.
Everyone in New York should appreciate
the sacrifi ces MTA crew members
have made during this pandemic. They
are deserving of our gratitude — and
the state must ensure all crew members
are well-protected and compensated for
their service.
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