Blaz: We’ll pay to fix subways

ALBANY — Better late than never.

After months of refusing to pay for emergency subway repairs, Mayor de Blasio on Saturday announced that the city would finally cough up its $418 million share of the emergency repair plan created last year by Metropolitan Transportation Authority boss Joe Lhota.

De Blasio’s decision came hours after state lawmakers approved a budget that, among other things, gave the state power to seize city revenues to pay for the city’s share. The state has already paid for its part of the repair plan.

“When it comes to the subways, Mayor de Blasio has always demanded two things: significant movement by the state toward a real plan, and a dedicated lockbox so city riders’ money goes toward fixing city subways,” de Blasio spokesman Eric Phillips said.

The new state budget also enacts a surcharge on for-hire vehicles operating below 96th Street, with the funds dedicated to the MTA. The surcharge is $2.75 for for-hire vehicles and, $2.50 for yellow cabs.