-
$3 fare, $105 monthly MetroCards Possible: MTA
Photo credit: Urbanite
Subway and bus riders could be paying up to $3 a trip next year, according to new fare hike details released by the MTA yesterday.
Also, 30-day MetroCards could jump from $81 to $105 in a worst-case scenario, according to notices the MTA published on its Web site for the upcoming fare hike public hearings.
“The news is awful,” Gene Russianoff, Straphangers Campaign staff attorney, said in a statement. “Riders could end up paying a lot more for a lot less service.”Last week, the MTA board approved service cuts and fare and toll hikes that would bring in an additional 23 percent in revenue beginning in June next year to bridge a $1.2 billion budget gap. Riders might also have to put a minimum of $12.50 on a MetroCard for a bonus to kick in. Currently riders just have to buy $7 to get a 15 percent break
“A high threshold will make it harder for low-income riders to be able to be able to buy it,” Russianoff said.
Tolls on MTA bridges and tunnels could also rise to as much as $7.
MTA officials warned yesterday that the notices give a range and a specific proposal will be released sometime next week.
“It’s the upper limit. There’s no proposal in there,” said MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin. “It’s designed so that there’s wiggle room in there. This sets the range.”
The ranges allow for changes based on the public’s feedback and input from the MTA Board, which will likely vote on fare hikes in March. Public hearings will be held in all five boroughs from Jan. 14 until Feb. 4.
Officials have maintained that hikes could be decreased if Albany approves revenue-generating recommendations that include a payroll tax and tolls on the East River bridges. If no action is taken on the recommendations, fare hikes would go into effect in June.
Jason Fink contributed to this story
- Follow Us
advertisement | advertise on am New York
advertisement | advertise on am New York
Partners
Search cars
