The vast majority of New Yorkers who oppose a fare hike for the nation's largest subway system got a whiff of good news when the new chairman Dale Hemmerdinger responded to public outcries. The MTA is under an increasing attack from straphanger advocates and state legislators to wait and see about increasing the fare from $2.00 to $2.25. Up until now, the MTA has held steadfast to raising the price of a ride. Finally we have a slightly promising response.
From The Daily News:
Hemmerdinger, Gov. Spitzer's choice to lead the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, said he's taken note of the escalating clamor from legislators, transit advocates, political leaders and riders who want fares to remain unchanged.
"I'm paying attention, myself and the board members," Hemmerdinger told the Daily News, which has launched a Halt the Hike campaign. "No one is ignoring what we're hearing from the public and the legislators. We're not deaf."
The state Senate approved Hemmerdinger's nomination on Oct. 22, several months after MTA staff proposed a series of higher prices for the subways, buses, commuter trains and regional bridges and tunnels.
It is a good thing that him and the board is hearing what New York is telling them, but how will that translate into action? If Hemmerdinger does more than smooth-talk the city, he will listen and promptly respond by delaying the board's decision until April. Legislators are not asking for a lot, just a few months' delay so that they can find the funding so that the people do not have to suffer a rise in the toll. With the MTA's budget in the black through next year, what is the harm in waiting?
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