And So It Begins: Fare Hikes On LIRR, Metro-North Today

The MTA's non-doomsday fare hikes start today, with higher fares on the Long Island Rail Road (fare table here) and Metro-North (table here). WCBS 2's Lou Young spoke to commuters at Grand Central and Penn Station. One woman, who travels from Yonkers into the city, said, "It's a big deal considering nobody has any money. Money is very scarce right now"; she faces an increase of $1.50 per roundtrip—about $30/month (and she rarely has the cash available to buy a monthly). A pair of brothers who commute from Babylon into Manhattan will have to pay another $21/month each on their monthly passes. Another commuter from White Plains was resigned, "It adds up. It adds up, especially when the fares go up all the time. They got a deficit. Wadda ya gonna do?"

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By Jen Chung in News, News on June 17, 2009 8:11 AM

Comments [rss]

Proof your work

A pair of brothers who commuter from ....

Please proof your work.

kellas

I just don't understand this. The city wants people more people to take the train instead of drive but the cost of driving is exceedingly less than taking the train. Maybe if they lowered the train cost, people would be more apt to take it into the city therefore earning them more revenue and lowering emissions.

jaycjay

But, the MTA isn't a NYC agency, so what "the city wants" isn't relevant.

Steven

Good point. Taking the train is only good if you don't own a car or if you're traveling alone. It's much cheaper driving with a family or even with your husband/wife.

New York City commuters get a break with the free transfer to the buses from subway and have no fare zeros. The problem is if everyone started to take the train the system will stop at a girding halt.

freddynyc

Hey, at least their employees can earn six digit salaries with overtime and can also expect to retire comfortably...

verbal

where are our math geeks; last time they posted the amounts to load onto metrocards to game the system as best as possible?

Rocknrope

Everybody wants money. That's why they call it "money."

Bottomless Chips

"What are you going to do?"

That's why conservatives hate these public utilities. There is nothing you can do directly, as there's no competition!

zreader

Are they still honoring 10-trip tickets bought before the fare hike? and for how long will they do that?

Politburo

IIRC, Metro-North's policy is 6 months from date of purchase.

Steven

Single ride and round trip is 6 months. Ten trip tickets (peak and off-peak are good for 1 year).

If you brought a ten trip yesterday before the fare hike it's still good for 1 year. Technically you can get away from a fare hike for 1 year.