MTA officials say they're still working with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office on how to close a $15 billion gap in its $32 billion capital program — without raising fares.

"We have never, ever closed the capital program on the backs of the fare payers," MTA chief Tom Prendergast said. "That's unconscionable. That's not our desire. That's not what we're going to do."

But seven months after the plan was released, the MTA, New York City and Albany are still negotiating over how to fund the capital plan, or whether it is too big. (Cuomo initially called the plan "bloated.")

"We need to bring those dialogues to closure, in terms of what the size of the ask is, the size of the plan," Prendergast said.

If Albany doesn't figure out how to fund the program before the legislative session ends in June, officials admit something in the capital plan will have to give.

When pressed by reporters to name a program that could be on the chopping block, Prendergast said he was reluctant to do so — but then named one.

"We're going into additional phases of Second Avenue Subway, north up to 125th Street," he said. "That would be a topic for discussion -- can we really afford that now if the program is constrained?"

Prendergast pointed out that subway ridership was at record levels. "And it's challenging us in being able to deliver service," he said. But, he continued,"that's our responsibility, we will not walk away from it, we will handle it, and we will meet it."

Gene Russianoff, head of the Straphangers Campaign, said he was heartened by Prendergast's firm stance on fares — and his get-it-done attitude.

"I'm going with his confidence," Russianoff said. "We'll see if that proves to be the right horse — or the right train."

Cuomo's office did not respond to a request to comment Wednesday, but in the past has said negotiations will continue.