[Malcolm Smith] spokesman Austin Shafran said Friday that it was clear a full audit could not be done in time to find ways to help the MTA cover its projected $1.2 billion deficit. The MTA has said that with the payroll tax and new bridge tolls - recommended by a commission led by former MTA chief Richard Ravitch - the fare increases could be kept to about 8 percent.

Shafran also said that, after Smith made his call, the MTA had released more information, including an assessment of how the Ravitch Commission recommendations impact the MTA's budget. That additional information, he said, will help the MTA and Albany leaders reach an agreement.

The MTA runs New York City 's buses and subways, the Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road. While the MTA does not run Westchester County's Bee-Line buses, fares for that system would also rise, because it uses the same MetroCards that the MTA uses.

Audits
Comptrollers