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Guess what, New Yorkers?

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority chairman wants New York City taxpayers to pony up (yes, again) hundreds of millions more to pay for the completion of the 2nd Avenue Subway and to maintain its current, antiquated infrastructure.

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“Now, at this critical juncture, is the right time for the city to acknowledge the need for significantly increased investment in the M.T.A., and the city’s future,” Thomas Prendergast wrote City Hall on Monday.

[Photo: paulmmay, creative commons]

Prendergast just asked for an additional $1 billion to build out the new 2nd Avenue line and $300 million annually for its capital plan.

Currently, the city sends $100 million annually to the state-controlled agency for its capital expenditures. The city was already planning a boost of $25 million-- and now that's evidently just not enough.

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In a statement, Mayor Bill de Blasio said “a broader consensus is needed on how we’re going to sustain and grow the MTA." He also promised to work on getting more aid from Washington.

Last week, a Prendergast underling stated that an additional 15 percent fare hike would be needed to keep the MTA above water, if no new revenues were generated.

Instant straphanger outrage prompted the MTA to issue a statement saying such a hike was not not on the negotiating table.

By: John Oswald, Metro New York

[Feature Image Courtesy: IB Times]