Breaking: Straphangers Dislike Fare Hikes!

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Today's the first day back to work since the MTA's fare hikes went into effect over the weekend, and the city's news outlets are closely monitoring the public's response. While many experts expected commuters to greet the fare hikes with flowers and dancing on the subway platforms, it looks like they just don't appreciate the MTA's noble attempt to liberate their wallets. Many, in fact, expressed a shocking degree of contempt for the Authority: discontented subway rider Emmanuel Louis (no relation to the Webster star) tells the Daily News, "You shouldn't raise the fare if you're not going to increase service. It's just not fair."

And 38-year-old Carla Manigault tells the Post, "Twenty-five cents, that's unreal. My thing is, what are they doing with the money? They're spending millions of dollars. And look at the subway system. Some of it is horrible." (Subway rides went from $2 to $2.25, the 30-day unlimited card increased from $81 to $89, a 14-day pass is now $51.50, the 7-day pass is $27 and the single day unlimited is $8.25. And on July 10th bridge and tunnel tolls will go up.) Speaking to CBS2, Upper West Side straphanger Tony Lotson worries, "a lot of people are going to be caught off guard" by the increase.

But a few lone voices of hope did rise up above the grumbling; sweet, optimistic Pilates instructor Katie Aggen tells the Post, "I honestly hope with the fare going up there will be service improvements. I hope I get my 25 cents' worth." Hair and makeup artist Debbie Peiser also expressed boundless faith in the MTA, saying, "If things are going to improve, then I don't mind it." Still, for most, bitching and moaning remained their only solace. Brooklyn's Trimette Roberts explains the griping process to the News, "It's kind of the only way for most people. We're trapped with it. It's not like we could boycott it in masses." Ah, that's the spirit! Viva la Complaisance!

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By John Del Signore in News on June 29, 2009 10:35 AM

Comments [rss]

endoubleu

Did no one read all of the news from months ago about how this fare hike was supposed to be a lot higher and accompanied by massive service cuts?

Or about how the situation came about in the first place (a broken funding structure that relies on the now-tanked real estate market, plus decades of debt from floating bonds to pay for system upkeep in lieu of actual funding)?

Or that Albany (in a rare moment of semi-lucidity) passed a half-baked funding package at the last minute that kept the MTA from the brink but which won't actually help them make capital improvements to the system?

Complain all you want about the fare hike, but don't pretend to know why it had to happen if you don't know the whole story.

Manitoba

You expect us to read? Didn't you realize this is gothamist?? We only read for typos, not content.

kane

One of the problems is that there is no one person/entity to blame. It is a shitstorm of stupidity.

Guest

Viva la Complaisance? And how exactly do you propose one boycott a government subsidized monopoly, JDS?

Tricksta

We can jump the gates en masse:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hXBAoIAKx4

Snoopy

I told my boss I can't afford the additional 50 cents a day to get to and from work and that he can take the job and shove it up his butt unless he gives me a twenty thousand dollar a year raise.

That'll teach him.

Gothampc

So you work for the teacher's union huh?

Manitoba

Zing!

whitecastlerock

I feel badly for the folks who need to take the railroad... Those increases are bullshit too. Fuck the MTA

BoroThreadsGuys

Hey All,

Just wanted to let you know that we at BoroThreads are offering a No Fare Hikes shirt that let’s you show your frustration with the MTA. You can check it out at:

http://www.borothreads.com/no-fare-hikes-mens.html

Also, in defiance of the MTA Fare Hikes if you enter NoFareHikes at checkout you’ll get 20% off your entire order until July 5th!

Thanks,

Marcos

The BoroThreadsGuys

http://www.BoroThreads.com

- Show quoted text -

Dirk

Thanks for the spam.

BoroThreadsGuys

Hey Dirk,

I don't know why it posted twice-I didn't mean for that to happen, so sorry about what seems to be spam...I hate it as much as you do. And the reality is that this is potentially not going to be the last time the MTA raises fares, even this year. So the shirt is more of an ongoing statement.

Thanks,

-Marcos

Brooklynbobby

Isn't it a little late for us to bail you out because you ordered too many T-Shirts? The hikes are a done deal. Why wear them now?

BoroThreadsGuys

Hey All,

Just wanted to let you know that we at BoroThreads are offering a No Fare Hikes shirt that let’s you show your frustration with the MTA. You can check it out at:

http://www.borothreads.com/no-fare-hikes-mens.html

Also, in defiance of the MTA Fare Hikes if you enter NoFareHikes at checkout you’ll get 20% off your entire order until July 5th!

Thanks,

Marcos

The BoroThreadsGuys

http://www.BoroThreads.com

- Show quoted text -

gossipgirl

My understand is that the fare hikes were to keep the MTA from going BANKRUPT, not to improve service. So, no, I don't expect improved service.

hotstepper

it's 25¢. of course there will be no service improvements, but it's still only 25¢. there are more interesting things to complain about people.

Gothampc

25cents x 10 rides to work per week x 52 weeks = $130

If I wanted to flush $130 down a toilet, I would have done it years ago.

hotstepper

yeah, i can multiply too. if you like doing that have a look at the ridiculous increase of other costs of living (rent, consumer products/services, food, etc). then compare those rising costs to this:

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/a_history_of_mta_fare_hikes.html

trust me i don't want to pay those MTA hosers any more money either, but keep this shit in perspective.

Gothampc

"if you like doing that have a look at the ridiculous increase of other costs of living (rent, consumer products/services, food, etc)."

But I think that there is some flexibility in the other costs of living. If my rent is too high, I can move to a cheaper neighborhood or take on a roommate. If food is too high, I can buy cheaper food or cut down on my portions. There is no "other" option for many people with regards to transportation.

I also think people are sick of the waste of the MTA. They've installed the new emergency exits that blast a siren everytime they are open. Was that necessary?

Plus all the poor service that is given. They force people to use the ticket machines, but the machines are not serviced in a timely manner. So many times I've walked up to a machine and it has said something like "Single Rides Only" or "No Bills Accepted".

Clickety-Clickety Clack

The whole "you could just ride a bike to work" argument is so tired. Not everybody has a job where they can just roll into work sweaty and gross from a cross-boro bike ride. Some of us actually DO need to use mass transit and don't deserve to be raked over the coals by the MTA.

Anybody who is "optimistic" about the MTA and its services after the after increase hasn't lived here long enough to know better.

Manitoba

Long ago, I ditched my MetroCard (I'm in South Brooklyn), started riding my bike to work in Manhattan (about 6 miles each way) and used the ~$100/month to join a kick-ass expensive gym near my office where I work out and shower while they dry-clean my clothes for work (included in the price). They also have bike-parking at the entrance that I trust.

Steven

Those are good for the people who live in Manhattan/Extreme Western Queens/and Northern Brooklyn.

I'd like to see someone live in Eastern Queens and ride a bike to Manhattan everyday for work.

Steven

Those are good the people who live in Manhattan/Extreme Western Queens/and Northern Brooklyn.

I'd like to see someone live in Eastern Queens and ride a bike to Manhattan everyday for work.

Gothampc

I'll add a bit of reality to the story:

But a few lone voices of hope did rise up above the grumbling; sweet, optimistic (just off the Grehound bus from Ohio and never lived in NYC before) Pilates instructor Katie Aggen tells the Post, "I honestly hope with the fare going up there will be service improvements. I hope I get my 25 cents' worth." Hair and makeup artist Debbie Peiser also expressed boundless faith in the MTA, saying, "If things are going to improve, then I don't mind it." (Ms. Peiser then stepped from her Park Avenue penthouse into her chauffer driven limo and was whisked away to her meal at Masa)

Wza

"...sweet, optimistic Pilates instructor Katie Aggen tells the Post, "I honestly hope with the fare going up there will be service improvements. I hope I get my 25 cents' worth."

*pats Katie on the head*

Awww, a newcomer. Welcome to the city.

:)

Dirk

If there were some sort of improvement in service, then I'd be okay with an increase. As it is, the train I take the most (A-train) seems to running less frequently. Plus I saw a sign that states there will be more weekends of shuttle service and no express trains.

JRod5417

I definitely got my money's worth during this morning's rush. Instead of the five usual turnstiles, there were only two available and the rest were locked. Go MTA!

abcohen

The beatings will continue until morale improves... the system sucks! the mta is broken! and unless we're ready to change things dramatically it'll just keep moving down this path...

jonmiz

Yeah, it's not like most of us could just bike to work. I mean a free form of transportation which provides us exercise, uses no energy, and generates no waste is just not an option. Oh wait, no, it totally is.

roe

It might be an option for *you*, that doesn't mean it's an option for everyone.

Gothampc

I tried that once. Human Resources asked me to leave because I was stinking up the office.

Seriously, if my company provided a safe place to store my bike and shower facilities, I would ride my bike to work more often.

buttface

ride slower. it's summer, so just ride in shorts and an old t-shirt. once you arrive to your destination, find a shady spot and cool off for a few minutes, at least until you stop sweating.

once you get inside, step in the bathroom and change. it takes about 2 minutes. if you can't get to the bathroom without entering the office, arrive a few minutes early and beat everyone in.

if you still stink after this, well, you just stink.

so, you could join a gym near your workplace and shower there (and also work out regularly). a monthly gym membership is about the same as buying a 30-day card every month.

nicemarmot

I was prepared. It was still annoying. Though I will say, my train showed up on time for once. Can't really credit that to the fare increase.

Trilby16

Yeah, it sucks. I hate the MTA, the fuckers.

But the people who are unprepared for the fare hike must be the same people who forgot to get vouchers for digital TV.