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Q&A
Discussion on paratransit funding and cost-sharing between New York City and MTA
0:30:31
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Council Member Brooks-Powers questions MTA officials about the significant increase in New York City's contribution to paratransit funding, from 33% before 2020 to a proposed 80%. The discussion covers the projected cost share for future years and whether other parts of the MTA region will also have their contributions made permanent.
- MTA officials explain that their financial plan always projected the funding share to continue long-term
- There's a discrepancy between how the funding was presented in the past and the current proposal to make it permanent
- The conversation highlights the need for transparency in budget discussions and negotiations
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:30:31
In five short years, the city has been forced to shoulder an almost 50% increase in its contribution for paratransit.
0:30:40
What does the MTA project to be the right cost share for the city of paratransit costs in future years?
0:30:47
And then also just a point of clarification, in the state budget it's calling for us to make this contribution permanent and initially it was for the MTA region.
0:31:01
Is this increase only for New York City's budget or are the other parts of the MTA region also looking to be made permanent with their contributions as well?
Jai Patel
0:31:15
So, the MTA's paratransit services is funded through the MTA.
0:31:22
So as part of that agreement that we have, it's the city funds the program at a cost share.
0:31:32
I don't know about any other program outside, but we service all five boroughs with our paratransit services.
0:31:39
The counties have different services that are funded through the county, believe, budgets, so I don't know about their funding source.
0:31:48
But like I said earlier, our financial plan always projected for this funding share to continue in the long term over
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:31:58
20 But that wasn't how it was presented in the past.
Jai Patel
0:32:02
Our financial plan and I can speak from on the MTA side, our financial plan always projected that the 50% with the cap, actually ours removed the cap and funded 80% as the city share.
0:32:15
The executive budget includes the 50% with the hundred and $65,000,000
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
0:32:25
legislation to be able to extend it and again it was supposed to sunset.
0:32:31
So I hear you, think the concern is in terms of the transparency aspect of the conversation, What was presented was that this Woodson said it was to get the MTA out of that crunch as you said in your own words shortly before.
0:32:50
The MTA isn't in a good place right now.
0:32:52
Obviously there are budget gaps in different aspects of the MTA budget, but I'm just trying to see how we're justifying making this permanent.
0:33:02
And then when I look at other counties that fall within the MTA region, when there was this temporary contribution put in place, will theirs now be made permanent or is it just New York City?