A new report on the finances of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) makes a desperate plea for assistance from the federal government.

Joseph Spector shares news of a report by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli that describes the funding shortfalls at the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) as the "greatest crisis" in the history of the transit agency.
"The MTA’s financial condition is dire,” DiNapoli said in a statement quoted in the article. "With ridership down, debt burden rising and no additional help likely from New York state or New York City, the MTA desperately needs an influx of federal funds or unheard of service cuts and workforce reductions will happen."
According to the report, the NTA faces a $6.3 billion projected gap next year is more than half of the MTA’s annual projected revenue—a hole that could not be closed without an infusion in aid. That projected budget gap is expected to grow to $12 billion over four years, reports Spector.
The MTA has been seeking $12 billion in funding to whether the fiscal storm brought by the coronavirus pandemic—an ask complicated by the stalled progress of federal stimulus talks in Congress in recent days and weeks.
Over the course of the pandemic, transit planning in the city of New York has been a tale of two modes: bus ridership has rebounded faster from pandemic lows than subway ridership. The MTA cut overnight service on the subway (for debatable purposes) before the city ramped up planning for new bus lanes around the city.
FULL STORY: MTA faces 'greatest crisis' in its history. What a new report shows.

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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