The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is expected to announce today that they will lay off hundreds of subway station agents.

Subway station agents provide customer information, sell Metrocards, and assist commuters at various stations throughout the subway system.

The layoffs come after the MTA began to phase out station agents who do not handle money last September.

According to The New York Times, the MTA planned to allow the station agents to retire and that the cuts will save $50 million. amNewYork reports that the MTA will boot the workers by this summer.

The MTA has a $400 million deficit and is trying to bridge the gap in their budget. They have announced the elimination of several bus lines, two train lines, and free Metrocards for students. Public hearings for the proposed cuts are set to begin on March 1.

NYC Transit Chief Thomas Prendergrast

NYC Transit President Thomas Prendergast is sending tradesmen and workers to fix 8 subway stations in four boroughs, according to the Daily News.  All stations in question have benefited from major renovations in recent years, but were denied the follow-up care needed to keep them in ship-shape.

The president, who started his job in December, is now ready to improve the system despite the looming budget shortfalls.

He also vows to improve rush-hour service on the Lexington Avenue line.