Damek.

In 2003, the MTA was no better off in the eyes of the public than it is now. That year, the agency was accused of cooking up two sets of books in order to justify a fare hike. One set showed the agency operating a deficit; the other showed a historic surplus.

At the time, Alan Hevesi unleashed a scathing report about the MTA’s behavior, and the agency was judged permanently guilty in the eyes of public opinion. It would be a watershed moment in the history of government — or quasi-government — agency corruption.

Fast forward to 2009. None of the MTA officials or board members responsible for the “two sets of books” scandal is still in power. Instead, the MTA Board is headed up by people with bona fide transit credentials, and the agency has attempted to be more transparent. Still, after years of governmental neglect, the MTA’s finances are in legitimate disarray, and if to close what may be nearly a $2 billion budget gap, the MTA will have to implement a Doomsday budget on March 25 if the state doesn’t act.

For its part, the State Senate can’t get over a scandal six years in the past.

I don’t know what to make of this. It’s very hard to distinguish a poorly managed, corrupt organization from 6 years ago from a broken, inept organization today. Particularly when service has changed little over that time span. Not to mention, the general economy has suffered during that time, so, there isn’t as much money to go around in general. Even well-managed organizations are suffering. There seems to have been some progress in the Senate, and I hope that, down the line, the NYC transit system, while not too shabby as it is, can finally get even simple improvements like live subway station updates and live bus stop updates.