Unless Albany comes through with a rescue plan, bus and subway fares are set to rise May 31.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, now we’re hearing fares could jump again just a few months later.
The man in charge of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority says another fare hike could be headed our way in a matter of months and the only way to change that is to pick up a phone:
“I would encourage everyone to reach out to legislators,” said Elliot Sander, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the MTA.
Already, more than 1,000 calls have been logged to New York Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, but so far no promises that the Ravitch rescue plan of tolls on East River Bridges and a payroll tax will ever see the light of day:
Facing a $1.2 billion budget gap and protest signs begging members to just say ‘no,’ the MTA’s board said yes to double-digit fare increases, major service cuts and significant layoffs in a nearly unanimous 12 to 1 vote on Wednesday.
“This is an extremely difficult day for all of us — our 8.5 daily million customers, 70,000 men and women who work for the agencies of the MTA, and anyone who cares deeply about vitality and the future of the city and the region,” said Sander.
“The fare increases and service cuts that the board must approve today are the only major tools Albany has given the board to operate the transit system and keep those operations in the black. There are no other moves in the board’s playbook,” added Sander.
Subway and bus fares will rise to $2.50, monthly passes to $103, express bus passes jump to $6.25 a ride, and tolls on major bridges increase to $6.50 In addition to that, Long Island Rail Road and Metro North fares will see hikes of up to 30 percent.
Board members have called the Doomsday scenario a disaster, but say because of Albany’s inability to come to the rescue, drastic measures were necessary.
“It’s a true crisis that cannot be solved by us without causing great pain to the riding public,” MTA Chairman of the Board H. Dale Hemmerdinger said at the beginning of the meeting.
What’s more, it’s almost impossible to believe: at the same time the MTA was approving the Doomsday budget, officials said the hikes and cuts wouldn’t be enough and that yet another round could go into effect in the next year.
“It could well be soon, potentially in April,” said Sander.
April?
The Doomsday fare hikes don’t even take effect until June 1 and the MTA is already saying they need more money.
“Of course we’re worried, that’s why we’re talking about it,” said Hemmerdinger.
The second hit could come as early as next January.
“I think we’re looking at another possible fare hike as soon as the end of this year and if they do it they’ll propose it sometime over the summer,” said Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers’ campaign. “I think they’re broke, they’re flat broke.”
(Source: WCBSTV)
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12 Responses
When everybody starts driving into work they’ll get the message…
Wonder how much these execs are going to get in bonuses.
The MTA refuses to open its books. Something is very not kosher here.
Until the are willing to open their books they shouldn’t be allowed any rate hikes.
This is ridiculous. The more they hike, the more people will seek alternatives, so they will end up needing more hikes to keep bridging the differences. I know I’d be more likely to bike or walk reasonable differences where I would previously have splurged on a bus ride.
I think a boycott would show the government that they really need to bail out the MTA. One fine day, everyone who has a car should get onto the streets of the city with it and show them how vital it is that the MTA be accessible to everyone.
Service cuts should be out of the question. Recently, before cuts were approved, I have often had to wait not only for one train that takes forever to come, but I’ve had to let it go and wait for one or even two more before there was any room for anyone to squeeze in. You can leave in plenty of time for work and not get there in time because you waited 10 minutes for a train and then couldn’t get on so waited 10 more minutes for the next one. Then, that one was so crowded that you couldn’t get out at your stop so you had to keep going and walk back — assuming you didn’t cross a river in the interim, in which case you had to change platforms and wait for ANOTHER train to get you back where you wanted to be. This has happened to me on more than one occasion; it’s called rush hour in Manhattan.
just like the mta went on strike a couple years ago let all their customers go on strike as well. then we will see who is talking!!!!
STOP USING THE SUBWAYS!
They’re dirty, dangerous, and neglected.
Start using bicycles, like they do in Europe and the Far East–It’s healthy exercise, too.
They’re trying to get to where the USPS is – instead of having to go through red tape for every increase, they want to just have a standing policy for an annual increase.
Everyone who can should work from home or close to home.Shopping,if you can still afford to buy things,do by internet or catalogs. Go to doctors and dentists within walking distance. Then the ridership will drop and the fares will go up to cover less revenue. If more people ride,they will raise fares to cover extra costs. YOU CANNOT WIN.
Toll the east river bridges to fund an inept transit system?
No- you toll a bridge or road to repair or renovate that specific project- but not in NY!
This is the usual bait and switch Albany gangsters at work only this time were really gonna get slammed.
Great idea Mr. Ravitch, raise the Payroll tax on the employers because business is so good small businesses and large ones are already closing dozens by the day.When the State Senators balked at doing what Ravitch said, they were branded as inept. While King Silver did his usual “its not my fault” job- Patterson and Smith look like Abbot and Costello though not nearly as funny. The Ravitch plan is a great way to take from the hav’s and give to the have not’s ala Robin Hood. I for one am rather pleased not to pay a toll at the Brooklyn or Manhattan bridge for my delivery trucks that go into the city daily. When time is urgent I use the Brooklyn battery or the Triboro with the full understanding that its going to cost me. Thats the cost of doing business.
Why must the onus be placed on employers who already pay the highest corporate and business taxes in the land? Is every option to save us money being reviewed?
ENOUGH is ENOUGH.
Drivers are being taxed on every part of owning and driving a car. Insurance, plates, inspection gas,and tolls etc… Yes those are the costs and drivers understand them. However,
How is it equitable to charge employers and car drivers to fill an MTA budget deficit not of their making or to their betterment?
If you use the trains and the buses pay for it. If that mode becomes too costly find an alternative. Car pool, walk, bike or pay for it like you do milk. whatever it costs thats the cost.
We have a Tax and spend system that is corrupt and rotten. We borrow and steal from peter to pay Paul and are left wondering how is it that we are always broke?
NYS and frankly the United states is an organized Ponzi scheme only legal and enabled by the power brokers of the day because that how business gets done in Politics.Shameful.
Change is all we heard about for 6 months. You betcha-change is in the air and it smells something awful.Buckle up its going to be a nasty ride or fight for your money and kick these failed politicians out on their head. If not, we will now suffer thru what may become the most costly time in this country’s history with tax payers carrying the bulk of the burden.
Hey Bloomberg, Patterson, Silver and Smith,
Before you take any more money from us-
1-Restore the commuter tax
2- sell naming rights to the area bridges. if it works for stadiums why not try?
3- Raise tolls on existing tolled bridges
4- Raise transit fares
5- take away the free rides to all MTA employees
6- Open up the MTA books to an outside auditor
7- stop advertising on radio and TV. The MTA-is the only game in town, save your money and ours too
8- Get rid of all non essential unionized workers (yes the same ones who went on strike and crippled this city and the same ones who sit behind the glass and refuse to look at you or answer your questions or cry for help)and replace them with less costly machines.
We are running out time. will a leader please stand up?
I honestly don’t know how people can survive.
The combination of a declining economy–declining income–together with rising prices, is squeezing families into oblivion.
Meanwhile, the Government is taking over everthing in sight, as business after business succumbs to the pressures. Note the 4.5 million-dollar fine levied by the Governemnt against B&H, a major Jewish employer.
If I was a conspiracy theorist, I would say that all these things are being stage-managed intentionally to destroy the independent businessman, and turn America into a Socialist state, run by a Marxist dictator.
Let’s face it, our whole society is in deep trouble and we’re sinking faster by the day!
Again, we can thank the unions