Daily News from New York, New York • 14

1 t- i End of line for Uo. 9 i iEis stiinte Caste THE NO. 9 train's days are BY WARREN WOODBERRY JR. and FRANK LOMBARDI DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS Utu local eft LOCAL 1179 1179 On Strike STRANDED RIDERS fumed yesterday as politicians and union leaders postured amid the strike by two private bus lines in Queens and Brooklyn. City labor officials and strike leaders were set to meet tomorrow morning for the first time since the walkout on the Command and Green bus lines began Monday.

The two city-subsidized lines carry 127,000 passengers daily in southern and central Queens and southeastern Brooklyn. The labor dispute is complicated by the city's struggle to buy out the two lines, along with four other subsidized bus companies, and turn their operations over to the MTA. Some of the stranded riders took livery cabs. Others used so-called "dollar vans," when they could find them. Some just gave up.

"I guess they're striking for a pur- Ledlth Benefits numbered. The Transit Authority is simplifying and changing service on the No. 19 line in the Bronx and Manhattan meaning no more No. 9 trains in May. That's when stations in upper Manhattan and the Bronx on the West Side IRT tracks will no longer be skipped.

All stops will be served by No. 1 trains around the clock. The number of trains running will not change, and riders at the seven skip-stop stations will see more service, TA President Lawrence Reuter said in a statement. Those stations are 145th, 157th, Dyckman, 207th and 215th Sts. in Manhattan, and 225th and 238th Sts.

in the Bronx. Pete Donohue pose," grumbled Winston Seymour, 21, as he waited on Roc ka way Blvd. in Ozone Park to find a dollar van. "But the service they're providing to the customers is no good, so the MTA should take over." Mayor Bloomberg and union leaders continued to accuse each other of refusing to meet and hash out contract issues, including retroactive raises, health benefits and pensions. John Longo, president of ATU Local 1179, said he finally spoke yesterday with James Hanley, the mayor's chief labor negotiator, about tomorrow's negotiating session.

He did not elaborate. But he apologized to riders for the strike. "We felt our backs were against the wall," he Said. wmxMberrySnyaaaynaa.com IB ANTHONY DELMUNDO Members of Local 1179 Amalgamated Transit Union picket yesterday in Queens. EwA Ssaiiis a freeze It cam live vMh sni hwlm tailing her orders.

"We are confronting significant financial challenges in the very near future," Lapp wrote. "Therefore, immediate hiring restrictions are imposed Even with the fare hikes to hit later this year, and previously adopted cost-cutting moves designed to save $130 million, the MTA forecasts a $586 million operating deficit for 2006. "They need to look at every penny they spend, and I think it makes sense in the financial climate," said Beverly Dolinsky, head of the New York City Transit Riders Council. "This has to do with them having to bond, bond, bond referring to borrowing and the credit card has come due. The mayor and governor diminished their subsidies." pdonohuenydaitynews.com BY PETE DONOHUE DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER FACING DAUNTING budget gaps, the MTA is enacting a hiring freeze and making other cost-cutting moves a month after it voted to increase fares and tolls.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Executive Director Katherine Lapp sent blunt memos to agency heads yesterday de Lapp told the Daily News that critical jobs, including those of police, motormen and bus drivers, will be exempt from the freeze. The memos also tell agency heads to put a halt on making promotions and to submit proposals on how they would suspend discretionary travel, limit office supply purchases and cut back on telephone and vehicle use. Its 2005-2009 capital plan, which covers key upgrades and maintenance and train replacement, has a $16 billion funding gap- MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow previously said expansion projects, including the Second Ave. subway, may have to be put on hold if Albany does not come up with a capital funding plan in the coming months. There is still time to enroll A New Year A New YOU Weight Loss for Life" Join us for a FREE Info Session with a Complimentary Breakfast Transfer opportunities for Spring enrollment still exist.

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