MTA boss Janno Lieber tried to rebrand the looming spike in subway ride costs a “fare adjustment” Wednesday — laughing, chewing gum and twiddling his thumbs as New Yorkers ripped him and other transit officials over the plan.
“Welcome to the second MTA public hearing on the proposed fare adjustments,” Lieber said at the top of the forum — one of three that the transportation agency is holding this week — about the new $3 rate, which would go into effect as soon as January.
More than two dozen frustrated commuters showed up in person and via video to testify about the 10-cent increase for subway and bus fares, which would come on the heels of the hike to $2.90 in mid-2023 and the MTA’s $9 congestion pricing scheme…