Photo Courtesy of Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Patrick Cashin
Under one of the two proposals being considered, the base fare of a MetroCard will go to $3 from $2.75.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Straphangers and motorists next month will get a chance to sound off on the latest fare and toll hikes as proposed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
The MTA last Wednesday unveiled two options for needed increase to fares and tolls over the next two years by less than 4 percent – or an average of 2 percent annually. Both proposals generate approximately the same revenue for the agency, according to the MTA.
The proposals will be the subject of eight public hearings across the MTA service territory – including one in each of the five boroughs – in December. The MTA Board will review public input before a final option is selected and voted on by the full Board in January. The new fares and tolls will take effect on March 19, 2017.
The two fare structures that are being considered treat the base fare and bonus rides differently; however, changes to 7-day and 30-day unlimited ride MetroCards are the same in both proposals.
Under Plan A, base MetroCard fare would stay locked at $2.75; but the current 11-percent bonus with $5.50 purchase would be cut to 5 percent with $5.50 purchase.
Under Plan B, base MetroCard fare increases by a quarter to $3; but the bonus rises to 16 percent with $6 purchase.
Both plans call for a $4.50 hike on monthly MetroCards to $121; and $1 increase on weekly cards to $32.
According to the MTA, a key distinction between the two options is the size of the bonus in reducing the cost of a ride: In Plan A, the bonus for purchasing a roundtrip ticket stays at 28 cents, reducing the cost of a ride to $2.62 from $2.75; in Plan B, the bonus jumps to 96 cents when purchasing a roundtrip ticket, reducing the cost for a ride to $2.59 from $3.
The $1 fee for purchasing a new MetroCard remains unchanged.
Proposed increases for car tolls for New York Customer Service Center E-ZPass holders will increase by 4 percent or less. MTA Bridges and Tunnels also offers “substantial discounts” to residents of Staten Island and the Rockaways.
For non-E-ZPass users, increases are higher in order to encourage drivers to use it, and in order to reduce congestion in advance of cashless tolling coming to bridges and tunnels.
As the agency noted, the public review process will enable MTA Board members to receive testimony delivered at the eight public hearings, through written statements accepted via email and regular mail, and through transcripts of videotaped public comments.
Members of the public can register to speak in advance by calling (646) 252-6777 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. To enable all members of the public to testify, the MTA has asked that all remarks be kept to three minutes or less.
The Queens public hearing will be held on Monday, Dec. 5, at the Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center at York College, Main Stage Theater, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica. Registration period is open from 4 to 8 p.m. Hearing begins at 5 p.m.
