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The MTA is considering a few possibilities for upcoming bus and subway fare hikes in 2008 and 2010. The two ideas on the table at present are a traditional rate hike and a rate hike with an off-peak option - riders would get a discount if they use NYC mass transit during off-peak hours.
From what the information the MTA has released so far, both options have their pros and cons. The Post tackles that issue and offers a bus and subway fare calculator to show what you get, depending on the kind of Metrocard you buy (Metrocard 5 rides + 1 free, unlimited monthly, unlimited 2-week, single ride)- and the time you may ride (peak hours are weekdays 7AM-10AM, 3PM-7PM). Whether riders support a fare hike with off-peak discounts or not really depends on the kind of rider they are. For instance, if you rely on the 30-day unlimited, you won't like a hike with off-peak discounts, because unlimited card prices are more increased more than in the traditional fare hike plan.
The Post also reports that the MTA is releasing more details about the increases as well as when the two public hearings about the proposals will be held.
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I think that most users of the unlimited MetroCards tend to use at least the equivalent cost of buying individual fares every time they rode. When the unlimited MetroCards first came out, I figured that I was saving money given my riding patterns and actually using the system more than paying for each ride.
So if you are still paying less with the unlimited than you would with a pay-per ride, you still come out ahead.
Th current far structure is akin to a regressive task. Those that need the discunt the most cannot get it (ie the poor who may not have $76 to shell out at one time) while those with the bucks to spend get major discounts. Option 1 retains this, and actually makes the gap worse. Option 2 sounds a bit better, but still has the same basic problem.
So how about an option 3. Fare stays the same, but remove the bonus fare and unlimited passes. I suspect the savings would cover the funding problems they have. Does the MTA really think they will have less ridership from the monthly pass holders? Like they have any other option, at $2 its still quite the deal and there is no cheaper way to get around the city.
What a confusing and stupid plan. People can't generally control when they have to ride the subway. Raise the rates across the board or don't raise them at all.
#2, while the unlimited option might be regressive against the extremely poor, the 'buy 5, get 1 free' discount, at least, should stay, I think.
I think we should try to make out-of-towners pay more for the subway than locals (the NYC version of cops that pull over out-of-state speeders more often, I suppose). The volume discounts are a great way to accomplish this.
I read in the paper that there are 7.5 million riders a day. 7.5 million times $4 is 30 million dollars a day! Plus the commuter rails, the advertisments, etc. Why are they hiking fairs?
b-b-b-but.... congestion pricing!
The auto companies should pick up the tab. GM, Ford, Chrysler, etc. never paid a dime for our highways, whereas the MTA is responsible for its own track.
Or maybe the difference could come from an increased tax on city parking. Either way, the burden shouldn't be put on the riders.
#4 I would agree,e xcept why not just reduce the fare, that's essentially what they are doing. So in reality right now fares are $1.67 they just make it more confusing by doing the buy 5 get 1 free thing. I wonder what the stats are of people buying
This will really get people out of their cars.
Peak fare. What a bunch of stupid suits sitting around a conference room sucking up each others bullshit and nodding their heads like they really care. Idiots. So the people who depend on the subway the most have to pay more for service which is already very poor? Brilliant.
I like what #4 is saying- having the locals pay less and the tourists pay more. Maybe set up the metrocard similar to the Carte Orange in Paris. Where the card would also serve as an ID and have the user's image and address, etc. on it. I doubt a lot of tourists would want to deal with the hassle of "registering" for a metrocard and they would gladly just pay the extra 50 cents or so.
Congestion pricing! LOL.
According to Bloomie, straphangers should support fare hikes during peak hours. He claims this will reduce congestion as commuters adjust their schedule.
Are the flaws and greed in congestion pricing becoming clearer????
#5: Maybe it costs $40 million per day (between salaries, wages, electricity, gas, consumable supplies, office rent, construction costs, interest repayment) to operate the system. Your question is like asking why they raise prices on candy bars when chocolate prices go up.
#13 - Do you really think it costs that much, per day, to run the trains? Do you really? Think of that figure, 40,000,000.
#2: I don't think making the metrocard more expensive for everyone who can save and budget to buy a month pass makes anything more fair. What you're proposing is a penalty against people who plan ahead as well as against the rich.
#4/11: Doesn't unlimited monthly pass essentially charge tourists more as they usually buy individual rides or day passes?