MTA Doomsday Budget Revealed
The W and Z trains could be elimated along with major late night and midday reductions
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2008 | Updated 8:18 AM EDT
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Think the subways are jammed now? Better hope the MTA doesn't implement its "doomsday budget."
See ya later, W. No, not the President. The train.
Faced with a $1.2 billion budget deficit that's growing by the day, the MTA is considering doomsday budget cuts that would eliminate W and Z trains, and cut G, J, M train service in half, the Daily News reported today.
Bus service also would be cut and straphangers would face longer waits for the train during midday and overnight, The News reported, citing sources familiar the proposal. The MTA also would eliminate 1,500 New York City Transit jobs. The plan will be unveiled at the MTA’s monthly board meeting tomorrow.
"It's a nightmare on weekends if trying to go to Queens as it is,” Zack Frank, 26, an actor from Queens told The News. "The MTA should worry about strengthening what it's got, not cutting it."
Under the plan, according to The News, the MTA would:
- Shut down the W and Z lines.
- Eliminate the J-train express service.
- Cut the G, J, and M train service in half.
- Eliminate dozens of bus routes overnight and on weekends.
- Run subways less frequently between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- Increase the time between trains running between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
