Edited Article

MTA Riders Brace for Fare Increase

New York, New York: The third major MTA fare hike in as many years is looming as major MTA officials as well as New York State legislators purpose significant fare increases slated to start in January 2011. A September 13th press conference between New York Public Interest Research Group members and MTA spokesmen revealed that the increases would likely be between 7% and 17%.

It is widely known that the New York State Legislator as well as Governor Patterson have been facing challenges on how to close revenue gaps in many of the states major public services. It appears that the state is trying to compensate for a 2009 decision to cut over 143$ million in taxes dedicated to the MTA by raising fares and increasing there yearly revenue by 7.5%.

"The goal is to increase revenues from fares and tolls by 7.5%, and the hearings are designed to elicit input on the best way to achieve that increase." Stated a MTA official regarding the September 13th meeting.

As the MTA continues to listen to frequent subway riders the possibility that fare increases could be as much as a 41$ increase on monthly tickets, 29$ for weekly tickets and 25 cents per a ride increase is discouraging for many New York City residents.

“I am going to have to make some hard decisions,” Rocco Anthony Rada, a New York City resident, said, “As a student I am already cutting corners left and right. The fact that I may have to pay an extra 41 a month just to ride the subway means I wont be able to eat some days. The MTA must find a different solution.”

Rada represents a large number of transit riders. He and thousands of other riders can barely afford the cost of commuting as it is. Factor in the possibility of a fare increase and you now have a large group of NYC residents that now cannot afford to travel.

The MTA fare hikes are likely to affect a wide variety of people; from students and residents to commuters and tourist. What was once a cheap alternative to walking is now turning into an expensive habit.

The fare hikes have sparked a variety of debate from many different groups. NYPIRG, New York States largest non-profit advocacy group, is at the forefront of the deliberation for fare hike alternatives.

Elena Conte of NYPIRG stated in a press release, “We are here to speak on behalf of the millions of beleaguered New York City subway and bus riders. Riders are unfairly being asked to pay more for less, with a fare hike close on the heels of the worst service cuts in many decades. These include the loss of two subway lines, reduced service on a dozen more and the elimination of 36 bus routes and 570 bus stops. The cuts mean longer waits, more crowding, extra transfers and lengthier commuting times for literally millions of transit riders.”

It is the possibility of the largest fare hike ever that is raising so much concern. Many New York City residents have no other option then taking the subway or the buss on a daily basis. What this fare hike would do for them is make it more expensive to travel from place to place, and also make it more difficult because trains and busses would run less frequently

Several weeks ago it was stated by State legislative representatives and Jay H, Walder the chairman of the MTA that the organization is willing to pursue other alternatives to the fare hike, as long as those alternatives would produce the 7.5% annual revenue increase.

As speculation continues to grow, Walder released a statement earlier this morning about the current state of the fare hikes. He stated in the release that the board of executives for the MTA will convene on October 7th and vote on the possible ways to reach the revenue goal of 7.5%.

Walder states later in his letter to costumers, “This fare and toll increase is an important part of achieving a balanced 2011-2014 Financial Plan, generating over $400 million in 2011. Even with this additional revenue the Financial Plan requires that we remain diligent in implementing the additional cost cutting measures that are included in the Plan.”

Mid next week a panel of MTA executives as well as State Senate representatives will meet to decide the fate of these fare hikes. It is noted that there are other alternatives to the raising of MTA buss and subway fares but those alternatives would likely produce less revenue then the purposed fare hike.