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MTA public hearing speakers invitation only

By Matthew Sweeney, amNewYork staff writer | msweeney@am-ny.com

September 8, 2008

A series of public hearings on how to find new funds for the MTA will be held this month, but speakers will only be by invitation from a commission created by the governor.

Gov. David Paterson appointed Richard Ravitch, former Metropoltian Transportation Authority chairman, to lead a commission that is charged with identifying new sources of funds to support the agency's deficit-ridden capital and operating budgets.

The MTA projects a $15 to $20 billion deficit in its five-year capital plan starting 2010, and its operating budget next year may require a fare hike to cover an estimated $900 million gap.

The governor's office confirmed the dates of the hearing and said further details are expected to be released today.

Late last week, the non-profit Tri-State Transportation Campaign revealed that the first hearing will be held next Monday at New York University's Kimmel Center. More hearings will be held on Sept. 22 in Mineola, Long Island, and on Sept. 24 in White Plains.

The commission will likely accept only written comments from the public.

Ravitch is widely credited with leading the city's transit system out of its state of decay in the early 1980s. The Ravitch Commission has a deadline of Dec. 5 to present its funding suggestions to Albany.