M.T.A Approves Transit Fare Hike

According to the NY Times, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved a package of fare increases for its subways, buses and commuter railroads. These prices increases is the third of its kind in three years and is at a bad time considering the curtailment of services this past year as the MTA attempts to close its budget gap.

A sampling of the fare hikes for the subway and bus system include: the 30-day unlimited card will increase to $104, up from $89, while the unlimited weekly pass will increase to $29, up from $27. Single rides will rise 25 cents to $2.50. According to the article, "The pricing regime places the biggest burden of the increases on the system’s most frequent riders, the third of straphangers who use 30-day passes.Transit officials said this action was fair, because that group also tends to be more affluent than other riders, according to the authority’s survey data."

The authority railroad price hikes for the Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road will rise anywhere from 7 to 14 percent, depending on the distance. An additional $1 surcharge will be implemented for riders who buy a new MetroCard vs. adding money on an old card.

The price increases will take effect on Dec. 30.

For more information, read the NY Times article.