Vacca, New Transportation Chair, Rails Against MTA Cuts

When City Council committee assignment were doled out this week, east Bronx Councilman Jimmy Vacca (right) was named chairman of the Transportation Committee. In a statement released today, Vacca says addressing the MTA's mountain of proposed cuts and changes will be "in his immediate line of fire."

For the past several weeks, perhaps anticipating his ascension to transportation chairman, Vacca has railed against the cuts of subway and bus lines as well as the Gov. Paterson's underwhelming support for student Metrocards.

“There is no doubt that we face storm clouds ahead. The specter of the MTA eliminating numerous bus and subway lines as well as student MetroCards means I won’t have much time in the bullpen. But I relish the challenge and have already begun my fight. Last month, Speaker Quinn and I laid out a specific, fully-funded plan to ward off this year’s cuts, a plan that many MTA board members supported in whole or in part at their last meeting. I am today renewing my call for the MTA to consider every option before resorting to cuts that could not come at a worse time for cash-strapped New Yorkers.”

Last week, there were reports that the BX34, which connects Fordham to Woodlawn, and overnight service for the BX10, which connects the rest of the Bronx to Riverdale, would be saved.

But the MTA would not confirm anything and the final proposal is still being worked out. Whenever that happens, the MTA will hold hearings in all the boroughs.

We'll keep you updated as we learn more.