NEW YORK, NY — The following statement can be attributed to Scott Rechler, Chairman of Regional Plan Association and CEO, RXR Realty:

“The tri-state region, the largest regional economy in the country, simply does not move without the MTA. These proposed service cuts would bring our region’s recovery to a halt. Congress must put politics aside and pass a stimulus package without delay in order to keep the economy moving forward.”

The following statement can be attributed to Tom Wright, President and CEO of Regional Plan Association:

“We are gravely concerned by the potential for massive service cuts, layoffs, and the delay of capital projects that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced at the agency’s special board meeting today. The coronavirus pandemic has so badly damaged the agency’s finances that without $12 billion in federal aid, it will be forced to reduce subway, bus, and commuter rail service, layoff staff, and gut the capital projects.

Even the catastrophic measures outlined today — a potential 40 – 50% service cut, elimination of rail service to Rockland and Orange Counties, fare increases, thousands of layoffs, delays of capital projects, and more — raise less than half of the $12 billion needed to cover the projected deficit.

As RPA demonstrated in our May report Essential Service, the MTA’s hands are tied. None of the options available to the MTA will balance the agency’s budget without creating devastating near- and long-term consequences for every New Yorker, especially the essential workers and low-wealth residents who rely on public transportation the most.

Citizens and advocates nationwide have told the federal government for months that transit service will suffer immeasurably without more federal aid. By choosing not to support the MTA, Congress is showing disregard for the future of the nation’s largest regional economy.”