Paterson: MTA Fare Hike Won't Be Doomsday Severe

WCBS 2 thinks Governor Paterson has made a "dramatic promise to worried straphangers" today by saying, "I promise you we are not going to put that kind of fare increase on commuters, on people who come in and out of the city of New York to work and to live." "That kind of face increase" refers to the (average) 25% fare hike approved by the MTA last week, which could be prevented by a bailout from Albany. Unfortunately, the State Legislature doesn't agree—mostly the State Senate—so Paterson added in his remarks, "If I don't see it working then I'll just make [lawmakers] stay right there [in Albany] until we get a deal"—which is why the Daily News Photoshopped him into a subway train, we think. But he will give the lawmakers some time to "cool off" and won't make them stay in Albany during Passover and Easter vacation, so it's unclear how potent the threat is.

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By Jen Chung in News on April 2, 2009 7:10 PM

Comments [rss]

Meghan

The MTA and Albany are both doing nothing about this fare hike and its ridiculous.

Please help and sign our petition to get Albany state and city officials to provide the MTA with adequate funding to prevent a 25% increase. Go to http://boycottmta.com and sign under the RED button that reads "Sign up!" First and last name, Email address and zip code. We really need some help spreading the word and getting information out there about this fare hike/service cuts.

PS Patterson's an ass.

reddyrighter

I'm still trying to figure out what the furor is about in the first place. I don't want to pay more for my MetroCard either, but for about the price of a cup of coffee per ride, a special underground train will take you anywhere in the five boroughs, any time of day, avoiding traffic and faster than any taxi cab (and for a fraction of the cost)--and people are complaining? If only they channeled that anger into fighting the real crime--insanely high NYC city taxes. But the subway is still a deal.

Manitoba

His comments are so typical.

To the press:

"I'll make everyone in Albany work non-stop until we fix this. I'll lock the doors and make them sleep on cots if I have to!"

To his colleagues:

"Hey everyone, why don't we just take the rest of the month off. I mean, we've been putting in 3-hour days! Phew - I know I'm exhausted. Happy Easter and Passover - see you in August!"

longacre

Glad to see Paterson has resorted to the Joe Namath approach: promise a victory despite overwhelming odds of defeat. In Namath's case it worked out, but if it hadn't Jets fans would have been disappointed for a couple of weeks and then gone about their normal lives. If Paterson doesn't deliver, the entire city will be screwed, and he will guarantee himself a defeat in the next election.