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At It Again? MTA On Fast Track To Fare Hikes

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Jul 22, 2008 5:45 pm US/Eastern

At It Again? MTA On Fast Track To Fare Hikes

NY Pols Speak Out Against Proposed Hikes

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Many believe the $2 base fare would jump a quarter to $2.25, and there would also be an 8 percent increase on commuter rail tickets on the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North as well as tolls on the MTA's bridges and tunnels.
AP

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Get ready for more fare hike fury. The MTA says it wants to raise rates again, and this time, the cost to ride the train could go up by a quarter.

The last time around, the $2 base fare stayed the same, but this time, riders may not be so lucky. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it needs money and riders will likely have to pay up.

"I don't like it. I mean there are no options for us in the city. We have to take the train to get anywhere. We can't afford it," says TriBeCa resident Brenda DiBari.

Adds Queens resident Eric Cunningham: "With the recession and everything, I think that's just crazy."

A possible increase in fares is not only unpopular with riders, but council members and advocacy groups are angered by the second proposed increase in two years.

"With the rising cost of gas, with rising cost of fuel, New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet. The last thing we need is to have their MetroCard go up as well," says Eric Gioia (D-Queens).

"I think I thought what most riders felt – 'Oh my God, not again. We just had a fare hike back in March,'" says subway rider advocate Gene Russianoff.

On Wednesday, the MTA is going to unveil its preliminary 2009 budget which is expected to included an increase to subway fares, bridge and tunnel tolls, and tickets on the Long Island and MetroNorth rail roads.

The reason why: rising fuel costs and lack of tax revenue, which are leading to a projected $900 million MTA budget shortfall. CBS 2 tried to ask the transit president about the proposed fare hike Tuesday morning, but all Howard Roberts would say is that the head of the MTA would discuss it tomorrow.

If the increases are agreed upon, riders and drivers could start paying more by July of 2009.

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