MTA Outlines Service Reductions, Fare Hikes

Photograph of the B train by RGP on Flickr

Since state lawmakers have recessed for Passover & Easter break without a deal for helping the MTA, the MTA has released the timetable for the approved fare hikes and service reductions, which range from 25% higher subway, bus and rail fares to eliminating bus lines. MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin tells the Daily News, "While we continue to hope that Albany will reach agreement on a comprehensive plan for the MTA, we have no choice but to move toward implementation of these cuts and fare increases."

You can see details at the MTA's website. In a nutshell, subway, bus and paratransit fare hikes go into effect on May 31 (a single ride on subways and buses will go up from $2 to $2.50 while Metrocards go up 25%) while commuter railroad fare hikes happen on June 1. Bridge & tunnel tolls increase on July 11.

On the service cuts side, on June 28, the following bus lines will be cut: Manhattan- M6, 8, 10, 18, 27 and 30; Brooklyn- B23, 25, 37, 39, 51, and 75; Bronx - Bx4, 14, 20, 34 and the Barretto Park Pool Shuttle; Queens- Q26, 56, 74, 75 and 84. On July 26, all "roving station agents" will be cut, 29 token booths will be closed, and, per Second Avenue Sagas, "Four stations along the BMT Broadway line in Lower Manhattan will be closed overnight. Those stations include City Hall, Cortlandt St. (if it ever reopens), Rector St. and Lawrence St. along the N line. No N trains will stop at Whitehall St. or Court St., but as those stations are parts of other lines, they will remain open." Express bus services lines will be cut on September 6 and on December 6, the W and Z go to subway line heaven and the G and M will be shortened.

Albany lawmakers still have the opportunity to save riders from the fare hikes and service cuts, but it's unclear how their many meetings—most recently one between Senate Democrats and GOP—are progressing, though Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith claims a deal is "close."