In case you missed it because you've been blissfully ignoring it, the latest MTA fare hike goes into effect this Sunday, with increases coming to weekly and monthly MetroCards. For now, the price of a single ride ticket will remain at $2.75.
Under the new plan, which was approved by the agency in January, a 7-day pass will cost $32, up from $31, while the 7-day express bus and unlimited subway pass will increase to $59.50 from $57.50. Additionally, the unlimited monthly pass will increase from $116.50 to $121—up nearly 4 percent.
Following the vote, MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast noted that the decision to keep single-rides unchanged "benefits riders who pay cash on the bus or load less than a round trip on a MetroCard, and are more likely to be low-income riders." Other board members argued that the freeze on the base fare only seemed desirable, and that the plan to increase the cost of a single ride to $3.00 would actually benefit riders through a higher bonus.
In any case, the cost of taking the train will increase on Sunday, a biannual tradition like congressional elections or torrential flooding. Meanwhile, subway conditions are deteriorating, and Governor Cuomo's proposed executive budget includes a $65 million cut in state contributions to the MTA (despite his promise five years ago that he wouldn't do this, in exchange for cutting one of the MTA's primary revenue streams).
Is it sustainable to continue taking away funding streams from the cash-strapped MTA while sticking riders with the bill? Probably not, according to at least one MTA board member.
"If you take [these] fare hikes to their eventual conclusions, at some point there will be a $10 fare and $50 tolls," said board member Andrew Albert, a Transit Riders Council appointee, back in January.
Until then, here's a nifty little calculator that'll help you get an even number of rides on your MetroCard under the new rates.