New NY State License Plate Revealed—And Required On All Cars
Cops: Fort Greene Violence Sparked By Chicken Wing Promotion
Access-A-Ride Renders Bike Lane Inaccessible
The UWS Gets Its Very Own Apple Store
64 Things Restaurant Patrons Must NEVER Do
Ahead of tomorrow's vote on a proposed fare hike, the MTA finance committee committee has approved an increase in fares for subways, buses and commuter trains as well as bridge and tunnel tolls. The committee voted 5-1 in favor of the MTA's proposed 2008 budget, which includes the increased rates. The increase comes despite the authority's projected $521 million surplus at the end of the year and the possibility of another large surplus next year without a fare hike. Despite projections that put the agency in the black, it says they face a deficit in 2009.
The committee also shared some yearly ridership numbers comparing this year with 2005:
- 11,025 delayed trains on average each month - up 86%.They blamed the construction projects and old subway cars for the poor performance numbers. But if the MTA is to be believed, relief is coming.
- 93.1% on-time performance - down 3.2%.
- 151,611 miles traveled by trains each month on average before mechanical problems - down 15%.
- Rider injury rate up 7%.
New York City Transit announced yesterday that they would improve subway and bus service during the 2nd half of 2008 assuming the MTA's finances improve or remain steady during the 1st quarter of 2008 after the fare increases. Improvements would include more frequent subway and bus service, increased service on some subway lines (like the G), an extension of some bus routes, and a new bus route in Manhattan - the M13 from the L.E.S. to East Midtown. These improvements would roll out at different times.
While the MTA/NYCT claims that they will improve service with the pending fare hike and that they need the funds to stave off a deficit in 2009, we wonder whether subway service will actually improve with the hike.
Photo of what looks to be a fare beating Tom Otterness sculpture by wallyg on flickr
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Thank God we all supported congestion pricing so they wouldn't have to raise subway fares.
the next thing we'll see is those lazy bastards asking for another raise.
Sorry but they have to raise the fare. I've noticed prices of loads of other stuff increasing, and the subway fares have to keep up with the inflation. I just hope they increase workers salaries, and put extra money to improvements. Improvements are coming, just slowly. Don't you people want the 2nd ave subway?
The subway fare has to keep up with the price of a slice of pizza.
I don't believe anyone claimed that subway fares were tied to congestion pricing.
@JMH: If by no one you mean the mayor than sure.
Relevant Portion:
Talk about governmental bait and switch. Mayor Michael Bloomberg sold New Yorkers on his congestion pricing plan by claiming a toll to enter Manhattan would hold down bus and subway fares.
"We need the monies to pay the people who work for our mass transit system for the MTA we want to be able to hold the fares down because you don't want to have disincentives for people to take mass transit," Bloomberg said Sunday.
But just hours after the legislature gave the green light to the mayor's controversial plan, the MTA said budget deficits will mean price hikes on buses, subways, commuter rails and bridges and tunnels.