New York City commuters will likely pay more for subway, bus, and commuter rail trips by the end of the summer. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Monday unveiled its proposal for fare increases across the system. The cost of a single subway and bus trip would increase by 5 percent from $2.75 to $2.90, the first base fare increase since 2015.
Under the proposal, the seven-day pass would increase by 3 percent from $33 to $34, and the 30-day unlimited pass by 4 percent from $127 to $132. The express bus base fare would jump from $6.75 to $7 and the seven-day pass from $62 to $64.
According to the MTA, the unlimited pass customers, particularly the seven-day pass users, are “generally more low- and middle-income,” which is why those fares will see the lowest percentage increase.
Photo by Asael Peña on Unsplash
Fares on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North and tolls on MTA bridges and tunnels would also increase.
With a vote on the proposal expected sometime in July, the MTA said the new rates would take effect “no later than Labor Day.” The MTA will hold six public hearings before the final vote.
Prior to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget, the MTA faced a $600 million budget deficit. The final budget approved earlier this month included new revenues dedicated to the MTA to address its budget woes, including a payroll tax on the city’s largest businesses and a one-time payment of $300 million by the state. Later on, the MTA will also receive revenue from the three downstate casinos opening in the next few years.
The last fare hike came in 2019 when the price of a monthly subway and bus pass rose from $121 to $127 and a weekly pass from $32 to $33. The base fare last increased in 2015 when it went from $2.50 per trip to $2.75.
While the MTA has biennial fare hikes incorporated into its operating budgets, fares did not increase in 2021 because of the pandemic.
NYC subway, bus fare to increase to $2.90 by end of summer, under MTA proposal
POSTED ON TUE, MAY 23, 2023
BY DEVIN GANNON
Photo by Asael Peña on Unsplash