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Rail News: Passenger Rail
1/18/2010
Rail News: Passenger Rail
New York MTA lost millions of riders - and dollars - last year, state comptroller says
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During 2009’s first 10 months, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) ridership declined by 75 million passengers compared with the same 2008 period, costing the agency more than $100 million in lost fare and toll revenue, according to a report issued by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli last week.
The comptroller attributes the ridership decline to 110,000 jobs lost in New York City between October 2008 and October 2009.
Subway ridership, which had grown by 242 million trips between 2000 and 2008, accounted for the biggest decline, falling 3.2 percent (or by 44 million riders) compared with the same 2008 period. Average weekday subway ridership to midtown Manhattan and downtown Manhattan decreased 6.2 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.
Four million fewer riders used MTA Long Island Rail Road trains and more than 3 million fewer riders used MTA Metro-North Railroad trains, according to the report.
Meanwhile, MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jay Walder released a report on Friday that reviews his first 100 days in office and stipulates two goals: to overhaul the way MTA conducts business and drastically cut costs to make the agency more efficient.
By operating the MTA as one company — instead of multiple silos — the agency can significantly reduce costs, Walder believes. For example, the agency has 92 different phone numbers for customer information and five separate call centers; 20 percent of the administrative workforce is devoted to information services and technology; and MTA spends 15 cents of every fare dollar on collection and processing.
“Making every dollar count — that's the only way we can restore the MTA’s credibility and continue improving service in difficult times,” said Walder in a prepared statement.
The comptroller attributes the ridership decline to 110,000 jobs lost in New York City between October 2008 and October 2009.
Subway ridership, which had grown by 242 million trips between 2000 and 2008, accounted for the biggest decline, falling 3.2 percent (or by 44 million riders) compared with the same 2008 period. Average weekday subway ridership to midtown Manhattan and downtown Manhattan decreased 6.2 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.
Four million fewer riders used MTA Long Island Rail Road trains and more than 3 million fewer riders used MTA Metro-North Railroad trains, according to the report.
Meanwhile, MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jay Walder released a report on Friday that reviews his first 100 days in office and stipulates two goals: to overhaul the way MTA conducts business and drastically cut costs to make the agency more efficient.
By operating the MTA as one company — instead of multiple silos — the agency can significantly reduce costs, Walder believes. For example, the agency has 92 different phone numbers for customer information and five separate call centers; 20 percent of the administrative workforce is devoted to information services and technology; and MTA spends 15 cents of every fare dollar on collection and processing.
“Making every dollar count — that's the only way we can restore the MTA’s credibility and continue improving service in difficult times,” said Walder in a prepared statement.
