Jun 29, 2009 6:11 am US/Eastern
Straphangers Not Happy With MTA Fare Hikes
by CBS 2HD's Kathryn Brown
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
MetroCards and tolls became a bit more expensive Sunday morning, as the fare hikes agreed to by the MTA and the state went into effect.
Although not as steep as the draconinan hikes threatened earlier this year, a fare hike is a fare hike and straphangers were not happy about shelling out more for less.
Fares for subways and buses and shot up ten percent.
For a single subway ride, the price went from $2 to $2.25. The 30-day unlimited card increased from $81 to $89.
A 14-day pass is now $51.50, while the 7-day pass is $27 and the single day unlimited is $8.25.
"No matter how big your pocket book, an increase does make a difference," said Catherine Harding, Upper West Side resident.
For bus riders, a single fare increased to $2.25.
For drivers, tolls will shoot up on bridges and tunnels on July 12.
Cash customers will pay $5.50, and E-Z Pass customers, $4.57.
"I expect better service, nicer stations, but they've raised it before and I didn't see a change either," said Jason Wagoner, Upper West Side resident.
The ten percent hike is better than the 23-percent proposed hike, the so-called "doomsday budget," but in these tough economic times, most people say any increase is a bad one.
"I don't understand how you can get away with it, I mean it is better than the doomsday scenario. It was poorly advertised and a lot of people are going to be caught off guard," said Tony Lotson, Upper West Side resident.
Riders with unlimited 30-day metro cards purchased at the old price will be good through August 4. One-day passes purchased at the old price will be good through July 6. Weekly unlimited passes at the old price are good through July 12, and two-week passes are good through July 19.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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