After a week in which any bailout plans out of Albany flopped and the MTA finally made official its proposal for a fare hike and service cuts, legislators are finally sounding like they are close to a deal that will alleviate the strain put on straphangers. The long-discussed raising of driver registration fees and MTA payroll tax are likely to be central to any plan to avoid the proposed $103 monthly Metrocard. Senate Leader Malcolm Smith says that "all options are on the table."


