It currently costs $100 for a seven-axle truck to cross the Verrazano Bridge. If the driver uses E-ZPass, it's $66. It is astonishing to me how this agency is always broke. Simply astonishing.

The MTA officially unveiled several proposals today to raise subway and bus fares, as well as bridge and tunnel tolls. It says the hike would bring in another $450 million in revenue. After public hearings, board members will vote on one plan that will take effect in March.

One proposal would raise the 30-day unlimited MetroCard from $104 to $125. Another raises the base fare from $2.25 to $2.50. In addition, most of the plans call for eliminating or reducing the current bonus customers receive for putting at least $10 on a pay-per-ride card.

Drivers will also feel the pain. Cash tolls on the Triboro, Throggs Neck and Whitestone bridges, as well as the Brooklyn-Battery and Queens Midtown tunnels, would rise one dollar to $7.50. The cash toll for the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge could be $15.00.

Do you support any of the proposals outlined by the MTA today? Which makes the most sense to you? What would your testimony be in front of MTA board members?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

NO I completely disagree on the raise for the fare on Metro-cards as I mentioned before, last week. I think MTA needs to learn better ways to manage the money that they are making with the transportation. As I said MTA should lean better to manage the money and their employees as they are being paid for not doing their work, being paid for being rude and lazy. My own experiences with the stations nearby where I live. The employees do not know how to solve a problem as simple as replacing a damaged metro-card, instead solving it, just handle me an envelope to mail my metro-card to be fixed and meanwhile having to buy another card. Not even been able to explain why that happens, instead just handle me the envelope and say have a good night and continue to have his conversation on the phone. Workers on the tracks, spent long periods of time without doing anything, just sitting at the train stations and even falling asleep and during all that time that they are being paid for overtime work. MTA should have more control of their workers and train them to be at least polite and knowledgeable about how to be people friendly, not just being there and being paid.

Stop by the stations on the A and C train around 11 pm so you can see the workers doing nothing. Just taking naps instead work. Is not fair that we the people have to pay for all that disorganization on MTA. Take the time to read it and do something about it.

Alberto from Hamilton Heights.

None of these proposals make sense, all are unfair to subway and bus riders, commuters, and drivers, and all are unnecessary.

This problem would go away overnight if the MTA re-financed their debt, much like homeowners re-finance their mortgages, to take advantage of lower interest rates. According to the Staten Island Advance and Bloomberg News, the MTA has a debt load greater than 47 states, and the annual interest payments on that debt has increased from $300 million in 2001 to $2.3 billion in 2012. If the MTA re-financed its debt at current interest rates, the MTA's annual interest payments would be cut in half, and the need to raise fares and tolls would go away.

PETE FROM MANHATTAN

Isn't this the agency that cooked the books several years ago? So legalize theft is alive and thriving in the Big Apple....

Howard from Fresh Meadows

John,

Does it really matter to the MTA what we, the riders think? Have they EVER taken into consideration what WE WANT? Do they have any idea how we're all hurting financially, and that raising the fares and tolls will only shrink our wallets? Do they CARE? Do they honestly need more money? They have plenty of revenue! I mean, the 2nd Ave. subway? Why? And why is it taking so long to build? The WHOLE subway system of NYC took less time to build than this one, unnecessary line. But our City Counselors don't care; the MTA doesn't care; no matter what WE think, the MTA will do whatever they want anyway. We have no say!

~ Dina and Edwin, Throggs Neck

They are crazy! What we're already paying is too much for the sub par subway service! Maybe the Executives should take a pay cut to help close the budget gap; stop going after the middle class/working class, who have suffered enough already!

Barri
Jackson Heights

John,

I don't support any of this. Dismantle the MTA (and the PA for that matter) and sell every transportation line to the highest bidder. Get transportation out of the hands of incompetent government.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

Hi John,

Let me tell you these politicians have had carte blanche with our money far to long. Is the station near the Yankee Stadium still closed when there are no games? Did we pay for the Brooklyn arena subway and all the other things that go with this arena around that area and did they not lie to the people that were thrown out of their houses to make room for this arena and is Bloomberg going to answer as to why the new baseball stadiums were built with our money and neither one has a full house.

GREEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD AND MORE GREEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD.

Can I join this secret society that still gets free rides from the MTA and many, many times I see the access-a-ride go by empty. They have many things in certain senior citizen centers like free rides in their own center vans to doctors appointments, to do shopping and get free lunch. I will make a lot noise over this. Everyone gets a free pass in everything, they are all crooks from the top down. All the same people have been here for years and years and they are nothing but a bunch of dictators and it needs to stop.

Thank you John,
maxxiee
mp

STOP THE MTA AT ALL COSTS. PLEASE GIVE THE RIDERS THE RIGHT TO RECALL OR AUTHORIZE FURTHER COLLECTIONS FROM THE HOG-TIED RIDERS. WE CANNOT STAND ANY FURTHER ABUSE ON A REGULAR BASIS BY THE MTA, UNDER THE GUISE OF FARE INCREASES. BEFORE THIS GOES ANY FURTHER WITHOUT DUE DILIGENCE, THE RIDERS CAN STOP THE BLEEDING OF THE MTA BUDGET BY BOYCOTTING AND REFUSE TO PAY THE NEW FARE, UNDER THE CHANCE OF BEING ARRESTED FOR FAILURE TO PAY. THIS NONSENSE THAT HAS BECOME A STRAP-HANGER'S NIGHTMARE IS TO STOP CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND AVENUE TRANSIT LINE. WE WILL NEVER SEE THE COMPLETION OF THIS HORRIBLY FLAWED MTA SYSTEM. ALSO, THE EMPLOYMENT OF DAY LABORERS ARE GOING TO KILL ANY PARTICIPATING CONTRACTOR THAT WILL EVENTUALLY COME BACK TO THE RIDERS FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. HAVEN'T WE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH WITH THIS WHOLE MTA SCENARIO OF INEPTNESS. THE ONLY THING I SEE MAKING THIS PROGRAM OPERATIONAL IF IT IS PUT ON THE MTA's FAST TRACK, OVER A CONTINUAL 10 MONTH PERIOD. THE AVERAGE SALARY OF THE RIDERS, PALE IN COMPARISON WITH MTA EMPLOYEES WHO ARE COMPENSATED BY THE AGENCY TO USE THEIR OWN DISCRETION TO GET A HANDLE ON THIS PROBLEM.

CARMELITA.......................HARLEM

Why we have to pay another price fare raise? Please MTA, stop abusing, remember that the MTA riders earn little money and we live check by check every week and it will be pretty hard to cover it. It is not fair pay for MTA desorganization.

Roxana
From: Washington Heights

so the raise of the single ride Metro Card is going to $2.75, A monthly card is going to be around $125 bucks. Tolls will be at least 15 dollars. LIRR and Metro-North trains with raises their fares.

Ok lets use our heads, their's no point in having a car when u have mass transit yet we leave our homes early on our way to work/school but we are delayed but train traffic and the Transit Authority wants more money. Might as well just make everyone not take the train for a whole week and see what they think about that. People say we need to ride our bikes yet people are getting tickets for bike riding. In conclusion as New Yorker likes not take mass transit for a good week and lets see mta's reaction

A student

If the MTA wants to increase their fares, first they should increase their bus services. I know they have cut back on bus service during off-peak hours, but there is a limit, you want more money then why should people have to wait 20minits for a bus.

Roslyn

BRING BACK THE TROLLEY CARS

JIM
INWOPF

1. Get all of the out of state cars who are committing insurance fraud off the streets of NYC... Don't let them park on NYC streets between 4am and 6am

2. To park a car on NYC streets you must pay $500 year parking fee and have to have NYC lic. Plate

T.S.

Hi John

I am outraged at the proposed fare increases proposed by the MTA. again for the fourth time in 5 years. Where is the money going there books should be audited by a independent agency. Then I hear r these increases are required to cover pension and Health care costs. This is ridiculous why don't they reduce pensions and increase health care cost on the employees let them pay for these rising costs instead of the public. Somebody has to step in and curtail the MTA they are out of control.

Thank You
Bob from Brooklyn

Absolutely S-H-A-M-E-L-E-S-S!!! It'll get to the point that a lot of people are not going to be able to afford using MTA more than going to work... Not a surprise, since the whole Bloomberg's idea is to push middle class, especially lower middle class out of NY. .. So sad..

Lana
Washington Hights

I always wished that the 3rd ave subway tunnel and the stations along the route was finished. The daily riders on that alone could generate the revenue the MTA needs. But since its been delayed the hike was inevitable. A hike every year without relief is a sign that something is not right.

Elvis

New Yorkers should strike and not take the train for a day so they can see how much money they would lose if the People stop taking the trains.

LoSo

What??? This is crazy. what is happening to NYC? I mean it would be better if they will increase people's salaries too, then sure go ahead but of course thats not going to happen, so MTA think again...

Fatima, Queens

That is not fair, how many price increases do we have to pay? The month card fare is not making any sense, what will be the benefit to buy it? I think that we have to return ride bicycles. MTA, stop abusing at us.

JG

You have a great show, but why are you not asking when was the last time that New York State increased its share to the MTA budget? I am sure it has been a long time.

That is the main problem to these fare hikes. The burden should not only be getting borne by riders alone year after year, but our politicians should be stepping to the plate. They're not and that is why we have the smallest transit subsidy in the country (probably much of the world) and for a City that depends on its transit

Ben in Astoria

this is the first time i'm writing, and now i feel like i must because i am angry. i am a full time student at a community college i do not get financial aide, and i work part-time as a nanny. I rent a room and pay a monthly rent and i have other expenses along with this. the fare is already high and to become even higher is a burden. the people who would be affected by this are the people who don't make enough money, why is it the poor and struggling always have to suffer and the rich just get richer.

they must be stopped.
Abby

Why is there no regulation as to how many times the fares on these bridges and tunnels could be raised, especially in a given fiscal year?

Evan

I understand a fare increase may be necessary but why do the 'powers thatbe' always demonize pensions! It seems the Mta should target waste, fraud and their accounting practices and please stop blaming the poor middle class municipal worker. And the subways are more filthy now than they have been in 20 years!

Claudia

The MTA is real good at creating new fare structures for any occasion, but how do they arrive at the amounts of these fare increases in the first place? Do we, as city residents, get to see the MTA's balance sheets ahead of time? Do any independent accountants have a chance to audit the MTA's books? Do any of the Transit Unions have alternate ideas? Can anyone fact-check whether or not pensions really are the biggest expense in the system? I find it hard to believe that nothing practical can be done to hold these fares in check.

Chris,
Lower East Side

hi John this is Erik From Bushwick Brooklyn

I agree with Mike and what he said regarding the fact that there is major wastage and they are fighting to keep the books hidden out of greed or just plain embarrassment. I say force them to release ALL their financial books to a a couple or Few independent companies the MTA cant get their dirty hands and and influence in any financial way and see what their findings are.

This city is becoming Bloomberg wonderland, making the poor and middle class have to move because they cant afford it. He's always got something to say.. where is he now?

I understand that costs go up, but I would bet that the people who are making these decisions drive to work in a government car, drive for free over the bridges and park in a government lot. Anyone weighing in on these decisions should be required to take the system to work full-time.

SCOTT from Chelsea

$15 for the Verrazano Bridge is absolutely disgusting and the MTA should be ashamed of themselves! As for the buses and train fares, the recession is bad enough and people are taking pay cuts just to have SOME form of employment but how are people going to keep their jobs when they can't even afford to get to work??

Amanda from Staten Island

We are blaming the MTA, when we should be outraged at the politicians. The MTA has proposed increasing the monthly ticket by $21. The State should be stepping in so at the very least it covers half the revenues needed. Andrew Cuomo, Bloomberg, State legislators are not fighting for the interests of commuters. They're getting off scott-free of any responsibility when we are leveling the blame just at the MTA. The question the media should be asking is when was the last time that the State increased their share to the MTA budget, because they can help fill this whole, instead of making riders bare the whole burden.

B.V.

Fare hike for healthcare? Please clarify is it increased health insurance? Or healthcare? If it's for health insurance then get rid of the insurance and pay for actual health care for the employees outta pocket. Fares going up for maintenance and construction? Absolutely, higher wages are needed and also manufacturing is through the roof in costs because energy companies refuse to stop their profit crunch. The workers and straphangers and getting pinched by the insurance companies, energy companies, and the financial companies.

Scott in brooklyn

WHILE I DEFINITELY DO NOT SUPPORT THE FARE HIKE....I WILL SAY IF PEOPLE STOP BEATING THE FARE FOR BUSES AND SUBWAYS.....THEN THERE WILL SPARK A MAJOR REASON TO INVESTIGATE THEIR BOOKS...BECAUSE IF EVERY ONE PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE...WHAT LEGIT REASONS WOULD THEY HAVE TO RAISE FARES...THAT'S INSANE

MCGRIFF FROM BROOKLYN

A source of unchecked revenue is the news/candy, etc. stores leased by the MTA to what appears to me to be a monopoly. The stores are all cash businesses with the MTA having no way of verifying the income stated by the store owners.

Raising the fare may be inevitable, but the MTA should also raise the rent and be more stringent on auditing those kiosks' books.

Jessie
East Flatbush

i am so tire of mta wanting more money.were is the money when people have money on the metrocards that are expired and people lose thier money.this is totally legal robbery because they know we need the transit system to get to were we need to g.it should not be the publics problem if the mta can not meet the workers pension ,401ks etc.if i were to open a store and business is bad i will closes down ,so if you can not run the mta then shut down period enought is enought we are not your piggy bank.its time to move out of nyc.

john
bay ridge
brooklyn

John,

The MTA holds some of the best health coverage and pensions of any quasi-public entity in the Nation. It is not the fault of the NY taxpayer that MTA managment negocoated fat and greedy pension plans that they could never cover in their wildest dreams. These unfunded pension problems will only get worse. City residens should not have to cover bad bets by foolish management. It is long overdue that the City looked for a different entity to manage its rail lines and kicked these guys out.

Greg
Park Slope

How come they don't charged the payed advertisers more to run there advertisements instead if the riders.

John

Even if the fare went to $2.50. Tolls on the bridges from $7.50 to $15.00? Sheesh! I'm giving up my car.

Jimmy the Bronx.

I dont blame the MTA for wanting an increase, I blame the Mayor. He allows commuter vans to run wild here in Queens. We have, and numerously complained, commuter vans that are picking people up in and on MTA bus routes. They are Asian owned and operated. From what I learned, they charge $5 to take you from Maspeth to China Town, But if you get this coupon in the Asian newspaper, it is half off. I doubt these van companies are giving any revenue to the MTA like they are suppose to? Half of them have no insurance, inspections or any drug testing on their workers. the DOT has given out numerous violations but they keep comming. These commuter vans are taking money from the MTA so dont blame the MTA blame the mayor for allowing his flunkies to give a pass for a free for all.

Shirley, Maspeth, Queens

None of it makes sense to me. I can't afford health insurance for myself and my own family but am forced to pay for others by increased fares!

Terry
Howard Beach, Queens

it seems that skelos and his grand very olde party are willing to allow the MTA under a Giuliani apparatchick to bleed the public with no end in sight while providing worse service than even under Walder; isnt this socialism? it certainly isnt transportation. And while all this obfuscation takes place where is kingcuomosen? why hasnt he raised an eyebrow and parted the long island sound? Not a peep. Th J train is held every rush hour to let the M train eclipse it. Who is this Giuliani clone, thats running the show. We need a general strike to hit the MTA in the farebox where they currently hit us.

JS
Flushing (OBAMA forfourmore)

give people credit and mail them a bill ---so they dont feel the stress --it becomes like a phone bill or cable bill---think of it this way------swipe card at the turnstile----like a department store card -------------james

I use my monthly metro card at least 4 or 5 times a day.
$104 a month is a bargain.
And it's a 24 hour system.
I'm glad I don't have to pay the monthly rate that metro north and LIRR pay.
I would pay more.
I think it's worth it.
Our system is better than most US cities.
I grew up in NY. I remember no air conditioning. And graffiti.
I remember not knowing when the next train was coming.
I remember not being able to pay with a credit card.
And those nasty token booth agents.
They have improved significantly over the last 25 years.

ME

John,

This fare proposal is a farce. So are the public hearings. As far as I am concerned, this whole thing is rook ed. Its a done deal.

Jeanne
Brooklyn, NY

NYC should have Zone Fares. Why does someone pay the same price to come all the way from coney island as it is for just one stop.

People from the suburbs subsidize subway service for people who live in outskirts of NYC ..... I get on subway at penn station and only go 2 stops.... Manhattan should be zone 1

T.S.

I'm glad that i can walk to work if i have to 35 minute walk guess i won't ride unless i go to the city or get me an electric skooter.

J.S.

cut some of those 6 figure management positions, hundreds of vice presidents, assistant vp's and other administrative detritus. that would save millions.

meryl from manhattan

make large companies pay to have their employees to get to work------companies who are well off.

james

Theres a hike b/c the same person who made the barclay center has a deal with the mta and want more people to use the rails and buses so he can make more money.

Emily

make a card that can be used for the year --which is unlimited for the year at one price--------so --mta gets a lareg amount of money in january to manage----mail a credit card like metro card to the home and the custonmer just puts it in the mnachine and gets a metro card to be used for which ever they select --one day weeek,or month ---its all prepaid so the machine dispenses it------------

james from staten island

It's so unfair to raise the fare at time of hardship. Everything is going up and our salary remains the same. I don't think our MTA deserves to go up.

FACTS:

1. Subway stations smell like urine and looks dirty. Ex: 173 -174 uptown bronx is so horribly dirty. It's urine,water and bleach mixed, not to mention station looks so deteriorating is scarry.

2. Workers at the booth can't do math. Ex: I gave booth teller $3.00 and said one ride pls, he ask me how much you want on ride? I was shocked. I said one ride, he said next time say how much. He was rude, He had no commonsense.

3. Another time I had $4.50, when asked for metro he said use mashine because he had no metro card. I went to the machine but for some reason it would not take a bill. So I went to booth again, I said what do I do, he said oh well. I happen to look down and saw several cards on the floor, I picked one up and gave it to him, he became upset and said u shouldn't do that. So how do I get home after a long days of work.

4. Also when you have a few cards with balances and go to a booth, they don't want to merge more than five. Its our money and it takes a few to gather enough for a fare. Every penny counts. I one time gathered $16.00 dollars. How about the select bus. You can't get on and when your on you can't get off. Ticket takes so long, bus is gone by the time it comes out. Machines were changed in a short period to practically the same machine. "Money wasted"!!! SELECT bus is so horrible to ride. People constantly arguing to get on and off. Bloomberg should come to the Bronx , ride D or B train stop on 173 -174. Walk outside and see, smell then get on again, get off on Fordham Rd and Grandconcourse take Select bus. Experience reality of the Bronx. I'm a working citizen and a teen in college. How much spent in car fare for this agony.

I Love NY is becoming I hate NY. :-0

Anonymous