Sep 25, 2007 9:23 am US/Eastern
MTA Plans Transit Fare Hike
Considers Flat Rate Increases, Peak Vs. Off-Peak Charges
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Pick your poison. The MTA says they need a fare hike because of huge budget deficits expected in 2009 so here are your choices.
Option number one calls for a flat increase of a quarter so riders would pay $2.25 a ride, and unlimited passes would go up by four percent.
Option number two looks like this: $2.00 if you travel during rush hour, but during off-peak hours, $1.50. Unlimited passes would increase by eight percent in this case.
However, some city officials say the MTA left out another possibility. "Two choices? Obviously the MTA forgot the real choice... which is not to have a fare increase," said NYC Councilman John Liu.
Some riders wanted to sound off now, months before those public hearings in November. "A quarter's a quarter for some people. They can't afford it," said rider Julissa Perez.
Another rider, Anthony Leach, wants improved service for the increase. "If I have somewhere important to be, I'd rather be there at a reasonable time rather than save the change."
According to George Ryan, "I think it's a good idea but i don't know how practical it is."
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