The MTA should be commended for getting the system back on track post-Sandy. It’s not an easy task to reopen a system as complicated and huge as that of New York’s, yet they did just that, in most cases as soon as possible. As for the fare hike, even though it was already scheduled, it really does seem unfair that anyone really should have to shell out more at a time like this. We know someone’s going to get hurt by the fare hike proposal, it’s just a matter of who. Those who use unlimited cards will say it’s fair to raise base fares, while pay-per-ride MetroCard holders will counter that monthly riders should see the increase. It’ll be interesting to see what “compromise” the MTA comes up with. Your thoughts posted below.

The MTA continues to work to restore the subway system in the wake of unprecedented damage from Hurricane Sandy. After transporting 20 subway cars by flatbed truck, a free subway shuttle will start running in the Rockaways tomorrow morning. Also today, both tubes of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel opened to traffic in both directions for the first time in three weeks.

Along with the restoration effort, the MTA is planning to raise fares on subways and buses, as well as a toll hike for bridge and tunnels. Today, the transit agency announced new dates for final hearings, which were postponed due to Sandy. The increases, which could raise a monthly unlimited MetroCard to $125, are expected to take place in March.

How did the MTA do restoring service after Sandy? Do you agree with the praise Chairman Joe Lhota's received for his agency's handling the crisis? Given the cost to repair damage to the system, are you more inclined to see a fare and toll increase as justified?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

This John Lhota has done a magnificent job. When he first came here I didn't know what to make of him and referred to him as here is another one.

He took charge, got things done and he was not there for photo ops like all the others were.

Maxxiee
Morris Park

It is unusual for me to make any complimentary remarks about the MTA. As you know, I think they should be dismantled and each bus and subway route sold to the highest bidder with the entire system privatized.

But in the aftermath of Sandy, I have to give them several kudos for doing a good job at restoring service.

Joe
Port Richmond

The work performed by hourly and front-line supervisory employees in the subway system's Maintenance of Way departments to restore service was exemplary and extraordinary, and should be applauded, especially when contrasted with the problems involving PATH and NJ Transit.

As for Joe Lhota, he looks like a genius compared with the bumbling ineptitude exhibited by the heads of PATH, NJ Transit, Con Edison, and LIPA; However, the TA still doesn't have contingency plans in place to operate the subways in the event service can't get to their regularly assigned terminals, so all the talk about Lhota being a modern-day Moses who could parlay Sandy into a mayoral run needs to be tamped down.

The fare increase is driven by the need to pay ever-increasing annual interest payments on debt piled on by former Gov. Pataki, who abandoned New York State's obligation to contribute to the MTA's capital budget in the late 1990s. The fare increase would be unnecessary if the State resumed contributing to the MTA's capital budget, and if the MTA re-negotiated its debt to take advantage of historically low interest rates.

Pete
Manhattan

The MTA cannot use Sandy or any other natural disaster as an excuse to raise fares.
The Federal government should be assisting with reconstruction.

Steve
Forest Hills

I think it's time to revisit Congestive Pricing for people who drive into Manhattan, and use ALL of that money to fund Mass Transit. Drivers leave a much larger Carbon Footprint and we ought to reward using mass transit by lowering fares and increasing service.

Danie
Upper East Side

Did the MTA/Joe Lhota/ The workers do a great job getting the MTA up and running?
Considering the damage? Of course!!

Is the service worthy of a fare hike?
Not exceptionally, but when you lok at what other cities have gone through over the past few years, it'll do.

Here's my question:
Out here in Jackson Heights we have a bus, the Q33, that runs from the main trainstation to LaGuardia and back.
From 2pm-3pm on weekedays the schedule states that there will be 6 buses per hour running from LaG. However when I stand at the busstop, at that time, most times I've waited 20 minutes, even longer.

Now, being a born NewYorker, if the schedule says every 10 minutes, I consider every 20 "close enough," but who's auditing the system?

Where's the salary of the 3 missing bus drivers or the $ for the alottment for fuel for the missed routes?
If only half the buses are running where's the money for the other half of the routes not run?

I feel that's what there needs to be:
A good **reliable** basic CPA Audit of the system before any fare hike.

Veronica
Jackson Heights

The Subway costs what it costs, there isn't anyone making profit off of it, so someone has to pay for it if costs go up like an expensive hurricane. Either we pay from taxes or move from education or some other program for people or we have to charge the riders who are riding which is fair. Taxes already support the subway a lot. The people who ride it have to be realistic that it costs money, just like normal everyday things cost money.

Government does work... even in the wake of an emergency like Sandy.

Yesterday, NYC Dept. of Health inspectors visited the impromptu, free, hot-food locations set up in parking lots and church yards on the Breezy Point peninsula in the wake of Sandy, In an effort any mayor would be boastful of for its ironic efficiency, they raised the possibility of shutting these extremely critical, high-volume, volunteer-run, out-door cook-outs because of several violations.

Make it more of a frequent flier program. Who can complain?

Jeff
Lower East Side

When you leave Manhattan, do you have your assistants hold a projection screen in front of your face that shows only things that will further your agenda? Do you not see the devastation in this city? When you walked through the Rockaways and Staten Island, did you see the destruction, or did you just see a place that does not attract tourists year round? When you saw the lines at the gas stations, did you think that they would magically disappear or did you like watching the struggling residents line up like good little servants? When you instated the rationing program 2 weeks after NJ, did you really think that we would let you take credit for it? When you extended the rationing program, did you really think this was still an issue, or was this just to give the rest of the country the illusion that you are on top of things? When you get a ride home at night and sit in your warm home and eat your dinner provided to you by a working person, do you reflect on what the people of Staten Island and Rockaway said to you? Do you think about South Brooklyn at all? Do you think about the fact that people who lost everything are about to have more stolen from them as your army illegally razes what is left of their homes, or do you think that you are ACTUALLY doing a good job and that people respect you? How does it feel that the people of OWS that you illegally and violently evicetd are the same people who are doing what you and your army could never do? How does it feel to know that this city, state and country thinks that you're a joke of a person? It must sting a little bit to know that this city can get by fine without you. Don't believe me? Go to these torn areas and see for yourself. Take the screen down, and realize this: You and your city have done nothing for these people. They're doing it on their own because just as they mean nothing to you, you arent even worth a thought to them.

Kevin
Brooklyn

You mean the MTA wants fare hike again? Wow, the fare has been going up and up, my salary did not hike up. Where all this money going ?

Ruthann

making comments on the mta website is a joke. you can only answer predetermined questions, basically picking your poison among all the ridiculous plans. There should be NO increase!!

For the callers to say we need to stop whining and just pay more need to realize that not everybody finds the monthly MetroCards useful, some of us only work part time and pay per ride is the only way to make ends meet. My cheap employer has a government contract and only gives us a 2 percent raise per year. try to fit another increase in with con Edison rent and every other thing else going up 13 and 14 percent... sorry we can't do it. what they need to do is put a ceiling cap and reduce salaries for the pencil pushing managers in the MTA

Why can't the government pose a tax brake on the working class who use the subway system.

I'm all about increasing fares due to the cost of living increases and normal course of business cost increases, but I'm unclear as to why costs are constantly increasing or potentially increasing year over year. The MTA should be clear for the reasons, did they under estimate the cost in past years and now feel the need to increase? Just be clear as to the reasons, people will be more accepting if the MTA was honest for their reasons. I recall an unlimited metrocard being $86 in 2003 now cold be $112+ in 2013? That's a HUGE jump. The MTA should just own their incompetency in their finance group and get their stuff together. If the MTA messed up their pricing years ago they should own it.

Bill from Upper East Side.