May 26, 2012
  • 5/5/09

    mta

    By Heather Haddon

    Straphangers rejoice: Massive MTA fare hike averted!

    Photo credit: Urbanite

    By Heather Haddon

    Straphangers will be spared a transit doomsday fare hike after all.

    State lawmakers announced last night that they had come to an agreement on a bailout for the MTA that would increase subway and bus fares by 10 percent, raising it from $2 to $2.25 a ride. Tolls would also rise by 10 percent.

    The deal would prevent dozens of service cuts and a fare increase of up to 30 percent, the “doomsday” scenario that transit officials have painted over the last few months.

    A bill had yet to surface at presstime, but the bailout also appeared to provide two years of funds for system improvements, something the MTA and the Assembly had been advocating.

    “It’s good news for riders,” said Gene Russianoff, of the Straphangers Campaign.

    The MTA said it welcome news of the deal.

    The total bailout was estimated at $1.9 billion, with revenue coming from a payroll tax, a taxi surcharge, and higher motor vehicle fees.It was unclear if the rescue plan would prevent a second fair hike this year, a proposal the MTA floated last week because of its rapidly ballooning budget deficit. The deal, however, does call for 7.5 percent fare increases in both 2011 and 2013.

    Lawmakers are expected to vote on the bill Wednesday.

Vote

Letter grades in subway stations:

Great idea! Waste of resources Indifferent


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