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Jay Walder (MTA/Patrick Cashin)
Cities like London, where Walder was previously the transit chief, already offer off-peak fares. And similar to London, New York's version of the smart card would also calculate the cheapest fare for straphangers based on how much they ride, according to the Post. The MTA has allocated $220 million to install a smart card payment system, and the Times reports Walder was "emphatic" when discussing the revised fare structure: "You can see creative and innovative things that would happen with this." Creative and innovative? Who is this guy!?
But not everyone is pumped about encouraging off-peak ridership. Andrew Albert, a nonvoting board member and chairman of the New York City Transit Riders Council, tells the Times, "You really already have some crushed loads at off-peak periods. London is not necessarily the same as New York." Since the unlimited-ride MetroCard was introduced in 1998, ridership on weekdays has increased by 40 percent, and weekend ridership has risen almost 70 percent.
In the past, Walder has insisted that such a variable pricing system "should be an absolutely revenue-neutral policy." And yesterday he said that the off-peak pricing discount would definitely not be accompanied by an increase for peak fares. But Walder would not rule out an overall fare increase, and the MTA faces a budget shortfall of approximately $113 million, according to Governor Paterson's estimate. A change to the fare system would require approval from the transportation authority’s board, which is dominated by mayoral and governor appointees.
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Yes.. London is absolutely not the same as New York - they actually invest money in their transit infrastructure instead of carting it upstate to spend on new wallpaper in Albany and care facilities for autistic cows.
Eff I hate the state legislature...
They considered this during the last fare increase proposal and it didn't happen.
Not likely it was seriously considered at the time, since it couldn't be done with the current Metrocard system.
Smart cards make sense. Then you'll see a zone system.
While we're throwing out crazy ideas, here's one of mine:
Bust up the unions so they can fire the dickhead bus driver I had this morning. Yelling at old ladies for running up to the door at the last second? Classy.
Fucking unions. This city would be so much easier to navigate and so much less expensive if it weren't for them. Union crews are a pain to work with, too. Always throwing up roadblocks for no reason.
Is this really needed? The subway is already cheap as it is. London has fare zones, NYC does not have it. If ANYTHING this should happen on the Long Island RR or Metro-Norh RR where the prices are really expensive (peak and off peak fares).
already the case--> http://www.mta.info/lirr/pubs/TicketInfo.htm#daily
Not really. It is "cheaper" during off-peak and if you buy tickets online. It would be nice there was another discount for the weekends.
A better idea would be for monthly ticket holders for LIRR and MNRR to get a discount on the subway.
haha. most service cuts are evenings and weekends.
....which will be quickly followed by on-peak surcharges! I love when people don't think you'll see through their master plan.
you might see through their master plan, but first master the article at hand.
"And yesterday he said that the off-peak pricing discount would definitely not be accompanied by an increase for peak fares."
Read my lips: no new taxes!
president ≠ CEO
great, so in addition to the subways not running properly on the weekends & nights, they'll be extra crowded as well because of the discount. genius!
I somehow doubt that crowds will swarm on weekends & nights because the fare is 25 cents cheaper. If the MTA can afford to do this, they should do it.
Regardless of whether this happens or not, it's nice to see that this guy has some actual ideas! Innovation @ the MTA. Now THERE'S a novel concept.
agreed. now let's see if Walder can actually get the rest of them (MTA, TWU, Albany) to cooperate with him.
Refreshing indeed. Let's see how quickly that MTA deficit decreases when he starts "trimming the fat" of unnecessary waste and what not, which i believe is only a matter of time. Or he gets run/bullied out for all his innovative, cost saving ideas.
Maybe he can get the bus drivers to stop where the customers are at the bus stop. The other day there were only 2 people at a 2nd Avenue bus stop, myself and a guy on crutches. The driver stopped the bus a good 10 feet beyond us. We were at the sign post.
More smoke and mirrors to distract ridership from the real issues. Terrible service in a decaying system. Technological advancements should be a priority, but making sure the ceilings don't collapse and the trains actually run on any kind of schedule should be the top priority. The only thing they ever want to improve is the method by which they collect the fares. Many subway stations look like they are from the land that time and the MTA forgot.
Can't we just collect some of the revenue from out-of-state & out-of-city drivers who come in & use the NY tunnels, bridges, & roads without paying a dime in taxes to support that infrastructure?
It might be a good idea if they can get it done right with the fares and the smart cards (which I highly doubt), if it even happens at all. But, absolutely no way would I trust the MTA to automatically debit my account with a smart card. If it was prepaid, then maybe.
here's a better idea: lower prices for LIRR or mta north.
seriously. this shit is ridic.
Exactly my thinking. The local bus/subway system is very cheap as it without any peak fares or fare zones.
LIRR & MN already have off-peak fares: http://www.mta.info/lirr/pubs/TicketInfo.htm#daily
How about only charging us half price on weekend because there is never any &%$#*@ express train service.
Actually, considering I just found out how much I owe for the metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax, you should let me ride for free.
Vultures.
we have no swipe cards in chicago and they are awesome. that second you save by only having to touch your card and not swipe can be the difference of making that train or having to wait for the next one. you don't even have to worry about taking it out of you wallet.
Unless you're one of those paranoid guys who is scared of someone stealing your data and keeps his cards in a wallet shielded with steel mesh.
Now if they really wanted to create a zoned system, they should just adopt the EZ-Pass system. Even better than a smart card.
Jay Walder for mayor! To hell with Bloomberg!
The way they are spinning this is brilliant.
It is not a discount for nights and weekends - it's an extra charge for peak use.
The subway has no way of determining whether you are going into a "more urban" area or a "more suburban" area. You could be charged extra going from Broadway Junction to Howard Beach. How does that make any sense?
Peak fares are supposed to hit people who are going to work. That's why they make sense on commuter trains.
This is not a discount. Don't be fooled. Keep subway fares the same regardless of the time of day.
Actually peak fares are on the commuter trains because they don't want people who don't have to go to work to take the train, since the trains are already jammed pack.
On the subway this will prevent people from going into Manhattan when they don't really have to - going shopping, meeting up with friends anything non work or school related.
"Since the unlimited-ride MetroCard was introduced in 1998, ridership on weekdays has increased by 40 percent, and weekend ridership has risen almost 70 percent."
Say it with me now:
CORRELATION IS NOT CAUSATION
yes it's true. i've been to london - their transit is far superior to ours, no doubt. but this guy comes over here and joins forces with one of the biggest criminal organizations. the mta along with the nypd are 2 of the biggest criminals in nyc. one that takes our money so their wallets & houses can get bigger while UNACCEPTABLE service never gets any better. if people don't take shit any more, we can get CHANGE. but all i see is apathy. because we feel powerless over these greedy power hungry scum. dismantle and reassemble.
The absolute last thing I care about is an updated card acceptor.
How about spend all those millions on making sure trains are actually running or at least install more of those screens that tell you when the next train is coming.