Image by Stephen Rees via Flickr

Talk about the FML Train... the MTA hasn't even completed the current round of cuts to subway and bus service throughout the city, but they've already announced their next round of cuts.

The proposed changes, which must be approved on Wednesday by the authority's board, would be far less severe than the cuts scheduled to take effect on Sunday. But they would reduce service on dozens of bus routes and increase commuting time for riders on the No. 7 line.

The plans, which appeared in documents on the authority's Web site over the weekend, are described by transit officials as routine adjustments to account for trends in ridership, which has sagged in the weak economy. And on some bus routes, service will actually increase.

But the proposals, which are projected to save $3.7 million a year, come as the authority steps up its attempts to close a $400 million budget gap.

With state legislators unwilling to commit more money to transportation -- and tax revenue continuing to fall short of projections -- the authority will be forced to consider more stringent cost-cutting measures as it prepares a budget to be presented in July.