MTA Finance Committee Approves Fare Hike

By: Bobby Cuza

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority finance committee voted Monday to approve higher fares for subway, buses and commuter trains, two days ahead of the full board's vote. NY1's Bobby Cuza filed the following report.

The MTA says Albany has left it no choice – in the absence of new funding, there are only so many ways to balance its budget.

"We don't have the power to do anything but raise fares or cut service. We can't do anything else. And we don't want to do either one of those things,” said MTA Chairman Dale Hemmerdinger Monday.

Proposed Changes

See the MTA's complete list of the proposed fare hikes and service cuts.

"I'm sorry that we have to make this decision. But I don't see that we have any option at the moment. I hope that Albany's listening to the pain that it's going to cause to the people,” said MTA Board Member Susan Metzger.

The pain will be felt in the form of a 23 percent fare and toll increase the MTA board's finance committee approved on Monday. One group of riders, however, did catch a break as the agency shelved plans to more than double the fare on Access-A-Ride. Instead, that fare will go up the same as the base subway and bus fare.

As previously reported, that hike will be from $2 to $2.50. Riders will still get a 15 percent pay-per-ride bonus when you spend seven dollars or more, bringing the actual cost per ride to $2.17. Weekly cards will go from $25 to $31, 14-day cards from 47 to $59, and monthly cards from $81 to $103.

So who's to blame for this mess? Even frequent MTA critics were pointing to Albany this time.

"I'd start with the state senate and its Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. They proposed a plan. I don't think it adds up,” said Gene Russianoff, Straphangers Campaign.

"We're disappointed to see these increases. But mainly we're disappointed in our elected officials,” said William Henderson, Permanent Citizens Advisory Council.

And the news only gets worse.

While the MTA had projected a budget gap this year of $1.2 billion, that gap could grow much larger. Already, in just the first three months of the year, tax revenue from real estate transactions is $123 million below forecast.

“The MTA is really in a very, very deep hole. And unfortunately, I think the hole is getting a lot deeper,” said MTA Vice Chairman Andrew Saul.

"Even after we get through this, when we come back and talk in April, we'll be talking about more difficult actions that will confront us,” said MTA Chief Financial Officer Gary Dellaverson.

Barring a last-minute miracle in Albany, the full MTA board is expected to approve the hikes and service cuts when it meets Wednesday morning. Increases would then take effect around June 1.