“I’m not surprised that the MTA has found a new way to rip us off by holding the base fare favored by tourists at $2, while raising every other fare, including the fares of the weekly and monthly unlimited passes. Hard working New Yorkers, who have to deal with crowded trains, delayed and intermittent service, and dirty subway stations every day should be the ones shielded most from fare hikes. This is a slap in the face to everyday New Yorkers.”

“I hope the MTA reconsiders its proposal to hold the base fare at $2 at the expense of the other fares favored by New Yorkers, Felder said.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today released its revised proposal for changes to the fare and toll structure. The MTA Board will vote on the proposal as part of the agency’s 2008 budget on December 19. The revised proposal reduces the revenue yield from fare and toll increases from 6.5 percent to 3.85 percent, reflecting the favorable November update of the budget forecast by $220 million, and the proposal to return this increment to its customers over the next two years. In recommending the following changes to individual fares, the MTA is proposing a progressive schedule that maintains mobility by minimizing ridership loss.

“The revised proposal responds to what we heard from the public while returning the $220 million to customers using each of our operating agencies,” said Elliot G. Sander, MTA Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. “This is a progressive proposal that holds the base subway and bus fare and still ensures that our most frequent subway, bus and rail customers enjoy the greatest discounts.”

SUBWAY AND BUS FARES

Cash/Single Ride Ticket: Remains $2

Base MetroCard Fare: Remains $2

MetroCard Bonus Percentage and Buy-in: The Bonus is reduced from 20% to 15%, but the buy-in is also reduced from $10 to $7. The average bonus ride increases from $1.67 to $1.74.

1-Day Fun Pass: Increases from $7 to $7.50

7-Day Pass: Increases from $24 to $25*

New 14-Day Pass: $47*

*Current 7-Day Pass users who switch to the new 14-Day Pass will actually enjoy a fare reduction.

30-Day Pass: Increases from $76 to $81

Express Bus Base Fare: Remains $5

Express Bus 7-Day Pass: Remains $41

RAILROADS

All riders benefit from a lower increase:

The vast majority of monthly and weekly commuter rail tickets will increase between 3.76% and 4.25%.

Increase ticket prices for one-way, round-trip, and ten-trip travel between other stations (intermediate travel) up to 7.7 percent, previously 11.1 percent. (Increases of more than 5.5 percent will be held to a maximum of 25 cents per ride.)

Retain the Mail&Ride fare discount on the joint monthly railroad/Unlimited Ride MetroCard. Increase the CityTicket price for one-way weekend travel within New York City from $3.00 to $3.25.

BRIDGES AND TUNNELS

E-ZPass users will benefit from lower increases as follows:

E-ZPass tolls for cars will increase up to 3.8 percent as compared to about 6.5 percent.
Trucks that use E-ZPass will benefit from a 25 percent rather than a 20 percent discount off the cash toll for trucks.

Staten Island and Rockaway resident E-ZPass tolls will increase by up to 3.7 percent.

Cash customers will experience the same increases as in the original proposal — 50 cents each way on the major facilities and 25 cents on minor bridges. The increases on the Henry Hudson Bridge will continue to mirror those on the higher-volume facilities (i.e. a 50 cent increase for cash users).

(YWN Desk)