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MTA Readies Fare Hike Plan If Albany Doesn't Act
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 19, 2009
Modified Mar 19, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 19, 2009
Modified Mar 19, 2009
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With Albany split on how to aid the MTA, reports have emerged about what kind of fare hikes the MTA will enact if there's no rescue plan. Here we go:
- Single rides would go from $2 to $2.50—a 25% hike;
- 7-day unlimited cards would be $31 (currently $25)—a 24% hike;
- 14-day unlimited cards would be $59 (currently $47)—a 25% hike;
- 30-day unlimited card would be $103 (currently $81)—a 27% hike;
- 7-day express bus cards would be $51 (currently $41)—a 24% hike;
- Pay-per-ride Metrocard bonuses are kept intact (though what the final bonuses are is still undetermined)
While you think that's bad, the Daily News reports, "The board is leaning against another set of proposed hikes that would jack up the $2 base fare to $3 and eliminate the 15% bonus on cash-based MetroCards valued at $7 or more." MTA board member Allen Cappelli says, "It really is the lesser of two evils. Nobody wants to make these changes."
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Governor David Paterson support a plan that would raise subway and bus fares by 8%, as well as put tolls on East River and Harlem River Bridges and implement a payroll tax—all considered necessary to help fund MTA capital construction, deal with the agency's debt and prevent drastic service cuts. State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith's widely criticized (at least in NYC) proposal offers a 4% fare hike, no bridge tolls, and a smaller payroll tax. The MTA board is expected to discuss these changes on Monday. This news comes as the MTA released data showing subway and bus ridership was down in January 2009 vs. January 2008—perhaps due to job losses.
Tagged
Albany
bailout
fare hike
MTA
rescue
state legislature
state senate
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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