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Updated 06/29/2009 04:12 PM

Commuters Pay More For Transit Rides

By: NY1 News

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It is the first workday since the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's fare hike took effect yesterday.

Riders are now shelling out more for both single-fare rides and unlimited-ride MetroCards, to help fill the MTA's massive budget gap.

A 30-day unlimited-ride MetroCard has risen from $81 to $89. A 14-day card now costs $51.50, a seven-day MetroCard costs $27 and a day pass costs $8.25.

"Of course I don't like it. I don't have enough money from work to keep paying all of these fares," said commuter Judith Walters.

"It's really terrible because we working people that don't make a lot of money, like most of us are, really suffer from it," said another subway commuter.

"I guess that's life. It goes up, it's not going to go back down, I guess," said a third.

Some commuters directed their anger at the MTA.

"You'd wish after a while they would get their act together, but they haven't," said a commuter. "It's been how long now? I guess it's to be expected but it's really annoying."

"They really don't listen to us anyway in terms of what we need," said another. "Basically when they decide they are going to do it they just do it."

Those who have an unlimited-ride MetroCard bought before yesterday have a brief grace period. If the card is swiped for the first time before Monday, the rider will get the full number of days under the old prices.

Toll increases on the agency's bridges and tunnels will kick in July 12.

For more information, visit MTA.info.

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