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MTA to weigh up to 10% fare hike for Connecticut Metro-North riders

MTA Board to Deliberate on Proposed 10% Fare Increase Amid Budget Woes and Rider Backlash

New York, NY – The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is gearing up for a pivotal decision that could significantly impact millions of daily commuters across the city's vast subway, bus, and commuter rail networks. At an upcoming board meeting, officials are set to weigh a proposed 10% fare hike, a move that comes as the agency grapples with persistent financial shortfalls exacerbated by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and shifting ridership patterns. This potential increase, if approved, would mark one of the most substantial adjustments in recent years, raising the base subway and bus fare from $2.75 to approximately $3.03, while also affecting weekly and monthly passes, as well as fares for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad.

The proposal stems from the MTA's latest budget projections, which reveal a daunting $3 billion deficit projected over the next few years. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber has repeatedly emphasized the need for additional revenue to maintain service levels and fund critical infrastructure improvements. "We're not just talking about keeping the lights on; this is about ensuring the system doesn't crumble under the weight of deferred maintenance," Lieber stated in a recent press briefing. The agency points to rising operational costs, including labor, fuel, and materials, which have surged due to global supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures. For instance, the cost of steel for track repairs has increased by over 20% in the past year alone, while energy expenses for powering the subway system have similarly ballooned.

This isn't the first time the MTA has turned to fare increases to bridge funding gaps. Historically, the agency has implemented hikes roughly every two years since the early 2000s, with the last one occurring in 2019, which raised fares by about 4%. However, the proposed 10% jump represents a sharper escalation, driven in part by the unprecedented revenue losses during the pandemic. Ridership plummeted to as low as 10% of pre-COVID levels in 2020, resulting in billions in lost farebox revenue. Even as commuters return, with subway usage now hovering around 70-80% of 2019 figures, the recovery has been uneven, particularly on weekends and off-peak hours. Commuter rails like the LIRR and Metro-North have seen even slower rebounds, with remote work trends keeping many office workers at home.

Advocates for the fare hike argue that it's a necessary evil to preserve the system's integrity. Without additional funds, the MTA warns of potential service cuts, including reduced train frequencies, delayed station upgrades, and postponed accessibility improvements mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Projects like the Second Avenue Subway extension and signal modernization efforts, which aim to reduce delays and increase capacity, could face further setbacks. "Investing in public transit is investing in New York's future," said a spokesperson for the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. "A modest fare increase now could prevent more drastic measures down the line."

Yet, the proposal has ignited fierce opposition from riders, labor unions, and advocacy groups who decry it as regressive and burdensome, especially for low-income New Yorkers who rely on public transit as their primary mode of transportation. In a city where over half of households don't own a car, any fare increase disproportionately affects working-class communities, immigrants, and essential workers. "This hike is a slap in the face to the very people who kept this city running during the pandemic," remarked Danny Pearlstein, policy director for the Riders Alliance, a prominent transit advocacy organization. "Nurses, delivery drivers, and teachers can't afford another hit to their wallets."

Public hearings held in recent weeks have been contentious, with hundreds of New Yorkers voicing their frustrations. One rider, Maria Gonzalez, a Bronx resident who commutes daily to her job in Manhattan, shared her story: "I already spend $127 a month on an unlimited MetroCard. Adding 10% means cutting back on groceries or my kids' school supplies. It's not fair." Similar sentiments echoed from Staten Island to Queens, where commuters highlighted the compounding effects of rising living costs, including skyrocketing rents and food prices. Critics also point out that the MTA's fare evasion crackdown, which has ramped up with more police presence and summonses, adds insult to injury for those struggling financially.

In response to the backlash, MTA officials have floated potential mitigations, such as expanding the Fair Fares program, which offers half-price MetroCards to low-income residents. Currently, the program serves about 300,000 New Yorkers, but advocates push for broader eligibility and increased funding from the city and state. There's also discussion of tiered pricing or discounts for frequent riders, though details remain vague. Lieber has stressed that the agency is exploring all options, including seeking more state and federal aid. "We're not tone-deaf to the concerns," he assured. "But we need a balanced approach that doesn't solely rely on fares."

The fare hike debate is further complicated by the uncertain fate of congestion pricing, a long-delayed initiative that would charge drivers entering Manhattan's central business district to generate revenue for transit improvements. Originally slated for implementation in 2021, the plan has been mired in legal and political hurdles, with Governor Kathy Hochul recently pausing it indefinitely amid concerns over economic impacts. If enacted, congestion pricing could bring in up to $1 billion annually for the MTA, potentially offsetting the need for such a steep fare increase. "Congestion pricing isn't just about traffic; it's about equity and funding a world-class transit system," argued Betsy Plum, executive director of Riders Alliance. Without it, the agency may have no choice but to lean heavier on farebox revenue, which currently accounts for about 40% of the MTA's operating budget.

Looking broader, the MTA's financial predicament reflects systemic issues plaguing public transit systems nationwide. Cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco have faced similar dilemmas, resorting to fare hikes or service reductions amid declining ridership and insufficient government support. In New York, state lawmakers have provided some relief through increased subsidies, but these fall short of the MTA's ambitious $51 billion capital plan, which includes electrification of bus fleets, flood-proofing stations against climate change-induced storms, and expanding the network to underserved areas.

As the board prepares to vote, possibly as early as next month, the decision will reverberate far beyond the turnstiles. For many, it's a litmus test of the city's commitment to affordable, reliable public transportation in an era of economic inequality and environmental urgency. Riders like Gonzalez hope for a compromise: "We need better service, not higher prices. Fix the delays, clean the stations, and maybe we'll talk about paying more." Meanwhile, MTA leaders warn that inaction could lead to a downward spiral, eroding the system's role as the lifeblood of the nation's largest city.

If approved, the hike would likely take effect in early 2024, giving riders a few months to adjust. But with public pressure mounting, including petitions and protests organized by groups like the Straphangers Campaign, the board may opt for a scaled-back increase or delay the decision altogether. Whatever the outcome, this episode underscores the delicate balance between fiscal responsibility and social equity in sustaining one of the world's busiest transit networks.

In the meantime, experts suggest riders explore alternatives like biking, walking, or carpooling for shorter trips, though these aren't viable for everyone in a sprawling metropolis. The MTA has also ramped up promotions for its OMNY contactless payment system, which could streamline fares and eventually enable more flexible pricing models. As debates rage on, one thing is clear: New York's transit future hangs in the balance, with fares serving as both a symptom and a potential solution to deeper structural challenges.

This proposed increase also invites reflection on the broader societal value of public transit. In a city that prides itself on diversity and dynamism, accessible transportation is key to economic mobility, reducing carbon emissions, and fostering community connections. A 10% hike might seem incremental on paper, but for the millions who swipe their cards daily, it's a tangible reminder of the costs of urban living. As the MTA navigates these turbulent waters, stakeholders from all sides will be watching closely, hoping for a resolution that keeps the trains running without leaving anyone behind.

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Read the Full NY Daily News Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/mta-weigh-10-fare-hike-204200991.html ]