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When the MTA received a state bailout worth about $1.8 billion per year, it promised to scale back planned fare hikes and eliminate proposed service cuts. So critics want to know why the agency is still planning to reduce the number of station agents.

"The MTA's talked about direct services, not cutting direct services -- this is a direct service," said City Comptroller Bill Thompson.

On Monday, elected officials, transit advocates and the transit workers union joined forces to protest the move, which they argue will jeopardize rider safety.

The MTA, however, says it's part of a continuing effort at belt-tightening. Altogether, the agency plans to cut costs by $200 million a year.

The MTA has promised there won't be layoffs of station agents. Instead, they plan to reduce the number of positions through attrition, meaning they simply won't replace workers as they retire.

The agency does plan to eliminate altogether a program that posts clerks outside booths.

In a statement, the MTA said the move, "is an unfortunate result of tough economic times. The safety of our customers remains a top priority and all affected stations will still have one full-time customer assistance booth."

Many riders acknowledge that new technology has reduced the need for booth clerks.

"The convenience of the MetroCard eliminates the need for me to go to the booth," said one New Yorker.

Still, almost everyone says their mere presence is valuable.

"It sort of provides a comfort knowing that somebody's watching. I mean, no matter how many machines or cameras we have, if someone is not looking over it, it's useless," said one New Yorker.

"I'd rather see someone, and know that someone's there," said another New Yorker.

"Without a booth agent, you can expect vandalism, crime and fare evasion to rise," said Andrew Albert of the New York City Transit Riders Council. "I can see people now practicing their hurdling skills so that they can leap over the turnstile, because there's not going to be anybody here to stop them."

The move will be up for discussion by an MTA board committee later this week.