On Wednesday, MTA officials voted to layoff 200 token booth clerks. Officials also agreed to hold authorized public hearings on fare and toll hikes.

MTA claims to have suffered a loss of nearly $900 million in anticipated funding due to the cuts in state funding and depressed tax revenues.

Critics argue that the layoffs and service cuts may have been prevented if MTA would have diverted a portion of the federal stimulus funds from construction and maintenance projects to paying employees.

Officials at MTA have said that the all monies used for projects to prevent the system from sliding into disrepair. Officials also discarded notions that staff cuts would leave passengers more susceptible to crime and jeopardize safety.

The 200 layoffs are only a small step in a series of job cuts, which will eventually result in the loss of 3,000 administrative and operating positions.

The 200 layoffs were initially delayed by a lawsuit brought up by the union representing the employees, which resulted in a court order that MTA hold additional public hearings. Those hearings occurred earlier this month.