What's the problem?
Growing ridership, shrinking resources.

Transit ridership is growing faster than the system can keep up. An astonishing 2.3 billion rides were taked on the NYC subways and buses in 2007, the highest number since 1969. Since 2003, ridership on Metro North is up by 10%, while ridership on LIRR and LI Bus is up nearly 7%. High gas prices and environmental awareness are pushing these numbers up daily. The system is starting to shows signs of stress: breakdown rates have increased between 2006 and 2007 and needed service enhancements have been dropped.

Some $2.7 billion worth of station rehabs, new buses, train cars, and signals has been proposed to be cut from the MTA's 2005 - 2009 construction program. Completion dates for projects that will provide thousands of jobs and spur economic investment, like the 2nd Ave Subway, East Side Access, LIRR Third Track and Metro North Penn Station access, are being pushed farther into the future. The transit system is facing nearly a billion dollar operating deficit in 2009, and one-half to two-thirds of the 2010 - 2014 construction program is not funded. Long Island Bus support is being slashed by 20%.

Why has the MTA been unable to keep pace with growing demand? Because our elected officials have failed to raise the money necessary. The MTA has had to raise fares and borrow to fill the gaps left by low city and state aid. In fact, the NYC Independent Budget Office found that state and city subsidies to the system have remained stagnant since 1990. This has beleaguered the MTA with insurmountable debt and forced higher and higher transit fares.

What's at stake?
New York's economic future, energy savings, our quality of life.

The New York Region's transit system is essential to economic prosperity of the entire State. It creates job opportunities, reduces harmful emissions associated with vehicle traffic and enables the vitality that is fundamental to our way of life.

Without transit, the dense concentration of businesses and variety of neighborhoods that give the region its unique competitive advantage in the global economy could not be supported. This high-value, high-productivity economy drives New York State's $1.1 trillion dollar gross domestic product.

In our current economic downturn, exacerbated by rising energy costs, creating new jobs is of paramount importance. Investment in our transit system can provide access to jobs now and in the future as well as ease personal and environmental costs associated with commuting by car. Already, over one-third of the Region's residents use transit to get to their jobs and that number has been rising. The local suburban economies in the MTA service area would also benefit from investments that would increase reverse commutation. A recent report established that every dollar invested in maintaining the transit system returns four dollars in economic benefits.

With growing ridership and a burgeoning population, our system, already showing signs of stress, will get worse unless we act. By 2030 the Region is projected to add 3.8 million residents and 3 million more jobs. The city's share of this increase will be 900,000 additional residents and 1.1 million new jobs. Unless the transit system is maintained, modernized with new technologies and expanded, it is inconceivable that the region will be able to support this growth and maintain its quality of life.

What do we need?
A reliable, expanded system.

We must have a transit system that is reliable and safe, one that continues to provide an affordable and attractive alternative to driving. We must not only repair and replace the vital but little noticed components of the system such as tracks, signals, drainage, and lighting, but the more visible ones like trains and buses and stations, and we must do it all with 21st Century technologies. We must also expand the system to meet the growing demand for a growing economy, adding new lines and connections for added mobility for all New Yorkers.

What must happen?
Find a long-term solution to fund our transit needs.

Solving transit's financial problems and building a functional and fully funded regional transit system won't be easy. Local governments, the State Legislature and the Governor will have to examine all the revenue choices available and create a plan to provide long term funding to the transit system. Because the benefits of public transit span all sectors of the region's population and economy, support for transit must come from a broad spectrum of revenue sources.

What you can do.
Join ESTA, make your voice heard.

The Empire State Transportation Alliance (ESTA) is a coalition of business, civic, labor and environmental organizations that advocates for essential investment in our transit system. Since 1999, ESTA has launched successful education and outreach campaigns that have led to billions in transit investments in the Region. In the coming year, ESTA will mobilize constituents, shore up public support and work to educate decision makers on why we must invest in transit.With your support, we can create a world-class transit system for our region - one that will sustain our economy and better our lives.