Sign Senator Grisanti’s Petition to Restore Funding to the NFTA.

The NFTA’s state transit operating assistance has been cut six times for a total of $4.3 million since 2009.

At the same time, workers compensation costs rose 35%, health insurance costs rose 17%, and maintenance and repair costs rose over 12%. These converging trends put the NFTA at fiscal cross roads.

The NFTA had a $15 million deficit just a few months ago, even after implementing $10 million in savings from 2009 to 2011.

To close the gap, the NFTA implemented work force reductions, and other efficiencies to reduce that deficit to $7 million. On December 19, the NFTA Board decided to close that gap with the same amount of service reductions, without a fare increase.

The NFTA needs additional state intervention to navigate these difficult economic times.

In 2009, the state approved a $2.26-billion rescue plan, for the MTA. The NFTA’s request for $10 million in deficit reduction assistance and eight additional megawatts of low cost NYPA power is reasonable and equitable in comparison.

The NFTA is the state’s second largest transit provider, and the only provider outside of New York City with a light rail system.

Eight additional megawatts would save the NFTA $1.8 million, and be a predictable annual funding source.

The NFTA currently receives only one megawatt of low cost power while the MTA receives 98% of its power from NYPA.

SIGN THE PETITION BELOW