MTA Board Is Considering Raising Subway Fares This Year

from dietrich's flickr

Despite promising to not raise fares until next year, MTA board members are considering increasing the cost of MetroCards in an attempt to balance a budget that will still come up short by $378 million even after service cuts. "In view of the reaction we got to the service reductions we have out there, I think that asking most board members if they'd rather see more service cuts or a fare increase, I think, at the moment, many would pick a fare increase," said one board member.

According to the Post, upping the cost of commuting is just one of many cost-cutting options on the table. Past reports have indicated that 2011's planned 7.5 percent fare hike could turn out being larger, though some insiders think the rumored 2010 fare hike might actually be the proposed 2011 fare hike, moved forward. MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin said the agency's position fare hikes "has not changed. It remains our intention to raise the fare in 2011 as agreed upon last year."

Amidst public outcry, the MTA is reportedly considering rescuing several endangered bus lines, but it is still planning to reduce service, cut the W train and many buses, and eliminate free student MetroCards. The Daily News reports that the plan to fire 450 token booth clerks would bring on "the lowest levels of subway station staffing in more than a decade"—with 25 percent fewer workers than in 1999.

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By Ben Muessig in News on March 12, 2010 2:30 PM

Comments [rss]

Troy

dang I miss tokens, at least then if they wanted to raise the fare, there was a price to pay....

now watch....2 fare increases within months after they raise it in September....

whatta they think....we all have good incomes and job sercurity....we aint got those JP Morgan type o' connections...

drewo

Take away the freebies given to current MTA workers, retired MTA workers and the NYPD.

How Ya Doin

I'd take the fare hike over further service cuts, considering the average fare comes to $1.41. That's some cheap transportation if you ask me.

adpwnage

The MTA is full of it!

adpwnage

But guess what? They are going to do both!

Eugene

"In view of the reaction we got to the service reductions we have out there, I think that asking most board members if they'd rather see more service cuts or a fare increase, I think, at the moment, many would pick a fare increase," said one board member.

I think that asking most commuters if they'd rather see more service cuts or a fare increase, I think, at the moment, many would pick a pay cut for the board members, says one commuter.

whitecastlerock

Reduce the amount of board members and then reduce the salaries of the remaining ones...

imperialnetwork

That won't come anywhere near filling the $800 million gap. Either (1) the state/city need to step up and fulfill their obligations to MTA or the MTA needs to (2) cut service or (3) raise fares. Pretty simple.

And MTA's books ARE public, fyi. You can look at every dollar spent.

Cannibal

COCKSUCKING MOTHERFUCKING DOUCHEBAG TAINTLICKER FUCKFACE ASS TO MOUTH DIRTY SANCHEZ COCKTWISTER TWAT CUNTFACE WHOREBAG

detective jarvis

yes i agree

ASSTACKLER

Indeed

TrippinJoJo

i call bullshit.

They should get rid of the free metrocard access for ALL MTA employees. Cut freeze salaries for the fat cat suits who are running this ship into a hole.

Are there any public records proving they're in this deficit? Are they really that much in debt? This could be another excuse to raise fares etc.