(The following report by Erika Tarantal appeared at NBCnewyork.com on February 23, 2010.)
NEW YORK — The MTA’s slogan is “Going Your Way,” but for employees of the agency, that “way” could be to the unemployment line.
In an effort to clamp down budget deficits, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is set to layoff more than 1,000 workers, according to the Daily News and other published reports.
According to the reports, the layoffs will be announced later today and could include some 450 station agents and over 600 administrative staffers.
The administrative cuts alone are expected to save $50 million.
Earlier this month the State Budget Office announced tax revenues were coming in short. The losses leave the MTA with a huge deficit of up to 400 million dollars for this year and up to 200 million dollars for next year.
The recent shortfalls come on top of budget gaps the agency was already trying to plug by cutting bus and subway service and eliminating free rides for students. The potential job cuts are expected to save the MTA about 50 million dollars.
The role of station agents has really changed over the years — with the introduction of metro-cards many agents now primarily serve as customer service reps.
Strap hangers we spoke to had mixed feelings about losing them. Many acknowledged that the average commuter can do without them, but others pointed out that tourists and special needs or elderly riders often depend on the services they provide. Many also expressed concerns about stations being left unattended in potential emergency situations.
The MTA has long planned to cut the number of agents. Last fall the agency announced plans to reduce staff through attrition but now it seems they can’t afford to wait.
In terms of preventing the layoffs, the administrative and managerial workers whose jobs are at stake are not in a union, but the agents are represented by the Transit Workers Union. The TWU president has said the union would fight the move. MTA Chairman Jay Walder has yet to comment.