MTA Predicts Fewer Riders When Fares Go Up

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Though hearings and votes are still scheduled, it's certain that by January 2011, MTA fares are going to go up. However, the MTA is predicting that this means ridership will go down. Though they predict just a 1% drop, that's 16 million fewer trips than the average 2.3 billion New Yorkers make in a year. So if ridership is down, and fares are up, won't their gross income be the same?

"Experts" say the decline would be steeper, but the recession recovery will send more people back to the workplace, and thus into the MTA's needy arms. MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin said, "Because we are cautiously optimistic about the recovery of New York's economy, we expect the fare increase to cause a very small decrease in ridership." Stats also show that, despite fare hikes, ridership grew between 2004 and 2008 because the city's economy was growing. But Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign predicts, "Poor people and people of modest means count their trips more often after a fare hike, and they'll cut out some nonwork trips.

Fare hike proposals include charging $99 for a 30-day MetroCard, which would be capped at 90 rides, or charging $104 for an unlimited 30-day card. The MTA is also considering charging $1 more for buying a new card, which riders must do any time they buy an unlimited card anyway. According to our informal poll, 71% of readers would rather pay the $104 for unlimited rides. For those of you who don't buy unlimited cards, will the fare hikes matter, or will you be putting all that extra cash towards buying a bike?

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By Jaya Saxena in News on August 3, 2010 2:59 PM

Comments [rss]

cutlass

It isn't the fare hikes that make ridership go down - it's the crap service.

bashmentgirl

The MTA is one of the most calculating diabolical organizations I've ever seen!!! The MTA knows ridership will not decrease. They're just saying this so they'll have an excuse for raising fares after the Jan 2011 fare hike.

1stephanie

50% increase over the last 11 years (unlimited card) is more than I can say about my income. Boo.

Tower18

I get your point, but percentage increases are slightly disingenuous when you're discussing $30 in 11 years, especially when compared to your income.

OMG the price of "penny candy" has gone up like 5000%. Oh wait though, that's like 50 cents.

Alex S

I really don't get this. The 30 day card is $89. They're talking about raising this $10 or $15 over a month.

But it's not even $10 or $15, because most people get the cards from their employers, and they buy them with pretax money. So we're talking about something like $6 or $9 a month out of your pocket.

And everybody is screaming like it's the greatest injustice in the history of the world. People are saying, "OK, close that line to Queens, just don't charge me that extra $6 per month!"

This is nuts. Everyone should stop whining.

whitecastlerock

Oh it's so hip to be level headed about everything.

Guest

"But it's not even $10 or $15, because most people get the cards from their employers, and they buy them with pretax money. So we're talking about something like $6 or $9 a month out of your pocket."

most people? i didn't know that so many people i know are not part of the "most people".

does the mta hire public relations to do stuff like this, or are you really doing this... for free?

mzungu

i don't know anyone, including myself, that gets metro cards through work. and, due to work, i ride the subway at least 3-4x a day.

hate feeling completely at the MTA's mercy.

Jen S

Did you live here when the fare was raised in 2008 and 2009? It's not so much the cost that's making people angry, it's the frequency of the hikes and the steady decline of service.

Dan

+1 and try traveling 32 miles (A line end to end) on NJ Transit, it will cost you far more than 2.50 for a one way ticket.

Stevennnn

25 miles from GCT to Tarrytown with Metro-North will be $12 PEAK/$9 OFF-PEAK ONE WAY or close to $270 a month that is on top of parking or subway fare for some.

CaptainMXC

How much do you pay for rent? How much does your grocery bill cost? How much is gas where you are at? I don't see how you can compare living in Jersey to NYC. When I used to have a car, it was more affordable for me to drive from Yonkers to the Bronx than it was to take the bus. Not only that, no waiting, no unsanitary subway cars, no smells, no being late, no people hitting me repeatedly because they don't know how to sit or stand and I could go anywhere I wanted. But nooooo, I should appreciate the MTA at $2.25 a fare because it's sooooo cheap in comparison to XYZ. Yeah right...when people aren't fondling me on the 5 train at rush hour because everyone is packed in like sardines, then I will agree. God I miss my car...

Stevennnn

Rush hour times people are at the mercy of the MTA, but on the weekends use the car. The car probably still costs more but it's the freedom and convenience of it that counts more.

Anijake

I really do not see the problem. For a little over 2 bucks you can go just about anywhere in the 5 boroughs. LIve in the Bronx and want to go to Coney Island, your there for $5.00 round trip. Try doing that with a car.

Yeah if the MTA got rid of all the graft and corruption maybe they would not have to rase fairs but we know that is never going to happen.

whitecastlerock

LIve in the Bronx and want to go to Coney Island, your there for $5.00 round trip. If you leave on Monday morning, you should get there by Wednesday afternoon..

Joe

no way, the Warriors made it in one night, and I would like to think that the subway system runs at least a little better now than in 1979.

TKaisen

Or Thursday afternoon if you drive there.

Guest

the year 2150: "welcome to our mta subway transit system, serving the 10 most privileged families in manhattan. at one time, poor and average people were able to ride the subway. unthinkable, isn't it?"

DFHdez

if they lower the fare they will attract more riders and make more money. if they raise the fare they will make people seek alternative transportation and revenue will go down. Now I see why they want to increase the fares.

youngpro

"$99 for a 30-day MetroCard, which would be capped at 90 rides, or charging $104"

---who wants to take bets they'll end up opting for the $104 one?