It's the largest public transportation provider in the US, and one of the largest in the world. It moves more than 8 1/2 million people every day, safely & at reasonable cost. It's far-flung system consists of subways, commuter rail, & buses - covering an area with a population more than many states! Yes, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is a behemoth when it comes to people carried, number of subway cars, buses, and commuter rail cars. But the MTA is not just resting on its laurels - there have been big changes under the new administration. Real-time text messages informing customers of service disruptions will shortly be a reality. Signs in subway stations announcing the next two trains will be coming to a station near you soon. (already in existence on the L line.) New subways & buses will usher in a new level of reliability and comfort. The first of the MTA's Bus Rapid Transit lines has begun in the Bronx - the BX12 Select Bus Service. The MTA's website now offers a wide variety of services, including travel information, real-time service disruption alerts, up-to-the-minute elevator outage alerts, schedules of all lines, and much more. Ridership is at a 35-year high, so New Yorkers have decided that mass transit is definitely the way to go. But, all is not rosy. Declining contributions from the State & City have taken their toll on the budget. The real estate crisis has greatly diminished the revenue the MTA receives from the mortgage recording tax. The financial crisis will undoubtedly affect the State & the City's ability to contribute more to the MTA's coffers. Faced with declining revenues, decisions will have to be made concerning fares and service levels.

Please join us at our next Chamber Breakfast, where MTA Executive Director & C.E.O. Elliot G. "Lee" Sander will give us the inside view of just what the MTA is facing in 2009 and beyond, and the state of mass transportation in the New York region.

DATE:    Tuesday, October 28, 2008              

TIME:     8:00 A.M. to 9:30 AM
PLACE:  Isabella's Restaurant, 359 Columbus Avenue (77 St), New York, NY

BREAKFAST FEE: $25.00 (Members)   $35.00 (Non-Members)
R.S.V.P: By telephone (212-787-1112) or E-mail (mail@westmanhattanchamber.org), to the Chamber.
Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours prior to the Breakfast in order to receive credit. Thank you!