New Low in MTA

[Leon]

NYC MTA Chief compares rolling back fares to his grandfather's habit of urinating on himself to stay warm. No joking!

Speaking at a breakfast meeting of the West Side Chamber of Commerce, Kalikow told business leaders that as a boy in Russia, his grandfather once found himself bundled up in a snowstorm with no bathroom in sight.

He decided to "just go," and "the urge was now gratified," but he faced discomfort later when his wet clothing froze, Kalikow said.

"We could pee in our pants now, roll the fare back and everyone will feel great ... but we're going to face it again next year, guys," he said.

What a great analogy.

[Leon]

You are being sarcastic, I hope.

[MsRay]

I don't know about the analogy, but is he right saying that despite how they got the fare hike, it was necessary? From what I understand, the fare will need to go up again even if it's rolled back.

[twilightbee]

Originally posted by MsRay
I don't know about the analogy, but is he right saying that despite how they got the fare hike, it was necessary? From what I understand, the fare will need to go up again even if it's rolled back.

Well they claimed it was necessary due to the false budget they provided. Thats why the judge decided to roll back the fares. The increase wasnt necessary based on the ACTUAL budget, but only on the false implied budget.

[MsRay]

Originally posted by twilightbee
Well they claimed it was necessary due to the false budget they provided. Thats why the judge decided to roll back the fares. The increase wasnt necessary based on the ACTUAL budget, but only on the false implied budget.

I understand that, but in the end the accounting they did was not wrong. It was just misrepresented and the fare hike now could be thought as a preemptive move to hedge against a budget crisis next year.

I don't agree the MTA should use subterfuge to get something a fare hike even if the fare hike is necessary, but is my interpretation of what happened correct? In the end, do we really need the fare hike?