NEW YORK (PIX11) – An MTA proposal to increase fares across the board is seeing pushback from advocates, who argue that it will price out low-income New Yorkers.
The MTA said while it understands fare hikes are never popular, they’re necessary to sustain the mass transit system and expand it in the future.
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Here’s a breakdown of the fare hikes:
Subways, buses and paratransit
- Base fare: $2.90 -> $3
- Reduced fare: $1.45 -> $1.50
- OMNY 12-trip fare cap: $34 -> $36
Express bus
- Base fare: $7 -> $7.25
- Reduced fare: $3.50 -> $3.60
- 7-day fare cap: $64 (pre-pay) -> $67 (fare cap)
E-ZPass, one-way passenger vehicle
- RFK, Whitestone, Throgs Neck, Verrazzano bridges: $6.94 -> $7.46
- Queens-Midtown, Hugh L. Carey tunnels: $6.94 -> $7.46
- Cross Bay and Marine Parkway bridges: $2.60 -> $2.80
Monthly unlimited subway and bus fare cards would be eliminated under the proposal, with the MTA arguing that the fare cap option is a better deal.
The MTA is also seeking a 4.4% fare increase on the LIRR and Metro-North. Rider advocacy group, the Fare Ain’t Fair coalition, said the proposal is too expensive for poor and working-class residents…