Spare Some Change For The MTA?

The long awaited plans of the MTA are finally on the public drawing board. The transit board wants to increase fares across the spectrum, from tolls for cars to bus and subway fares. The MTA wants you to pay an extra quarter per ride with other increases when it comes to weekly and monthly passes. Tolls are also to be raised a quarter for E-ZPass owners and fifty cents for those without. It isn't set in stone yet, as the board is set to vote on one of two proposals in December.

From AM New York:

The base fare would increase from $2.00 to $2.25 under both scenarios proposed at the MTA's finance committee meeting Monday.

In one proposal, commuters who purchase weekly or monthly passes would also see about a 4 percent increase in prices. This proposal would also raise express bus fares 25 cents, from the current $5.00 price.

Under the second proposal, monthly and weekly passes would increase by 6.5 to 8 percent. This option would allow for a discount fare of $2.00 during peak hours if you buy a card with more than $6 on it. Off-peak, non-rush hour fares would be $1.50.

So here we go again with another spike in transit costs with very little to show for it. Our system is still seriously outdated and in constant disrepair. One positive note is that cell service will be coming soon for a whopping six stations. If all goes well with those, the MTA wants to expand the coverage to nearly 300 stations across the city. So when the tunnels flood again, at least you can call and tell your loved ones you'll be late for dinner.

Hooray for mass transit in NYC!