Aug 7, 2007 6:25 pm US/Eastern
City Comptroller: MTA Fare Hike Is Not Necessary
Thompson's Idea Piques Mayor Bloomberg's Interest
by Andrew Kirtzman
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The city comptroller on Monday said he's found more than $700 million to help derail a transit fare increase.
But is his plan is realistic? Or is a fare hike a foregone conclusion?
In the weeks since the Metropolitan Transportation Authority floated a 6.5 percent increase, there's been barely a peep of dissent -- until Monday.
"Fairness dictates that rather than asking New York City riders, New York City transit riders to dig deeper in their pockets, that the city and state step to the plate and do what is right," City Comptroller William Thompson said.
And what's right, according to the city comptroller, is that the city and state cough up the money they've owed the MTA for years. The likely mayoral candidate floated six ideas for averting a hike.
*His price tag for the city is $254 million.
*His price tag for the state is $389 million.
*And he wants $83 million more from the money the MTA collects from bridge and tunnel tolls.
But the MTA isn't trying to save the fare. In fact, it's doing just the opposite. It's asked Albany for the power to raise the fare once every other year."
MTA chief Lee Sander said regular fare hikes are needed to bring some long-term stability to the MTA's finances.
And some subway riders were skeptical of the comptroller's plans.
"I don't think that's probably going to happen," one rider said. "They're not going to get more state aide."
Gov. Eliot Spitzer wouldn't comment, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg seemed somewhat receptive to Thompson's plan.
"I haven't read his report. There are some people who have read it and said he's got some really good ideas," Bloomberg said.
While riders loathe paying more for their subway ride, some officials are searching for alternatives.
The MTA didn't respond directly to Thompson's proposals. Instead, it released a statement pointing out that it needs to close $6 billion in deficits over the next four years.
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