Tuesday, July 22, 2008

More Fare Increase Talk From MTA

As anyone without a car in New York knows (and there are many), we are dependent on the MTA to get somehwhere in the city that is more than a few blocks away. Buses and subways carry millions of people everyday and frankly, the service is shoddy and sub-par. Not enough money is invested in repair crews nor those that build projects like the Second Avenue line. Despite all that, we are looking at another fare increase to be "debated" this year and enacted in 2009.

From The NY Daily News:

The hike, affecting more than 8 million daily subway, bus and commuter railroad riders, would go into effect next July, an official briefed on the proposal said. If implemented, straphangers and drivers would be hit with the second increase in as many years.

Officials have not worked out specific changes to the various MetroCard options and prices.

It's widely expected the $2 base fare, which has remained stable for several years, would be targeted for a 25-cent rise.

"It's ridiculous," James Josie, 35, a laid-off security guard from the Bronx, said Monday as he waited for a subway train in Times Square. "Every year they seem to raise the fares."


Yes James, it is ridiculous and especially unfair. The MTA makes one false promise after another, only to interject these damned fare increases in between a lie here and there. This time though, they might just forget about making improvements along with a possible $2.25 fare and just shove that up our collective asses with no lube whatsoever.

Of course, Albany could help us out. Governor Paterson and the legislature could tell the MTA to STFU and tell the Authority how things are going to be. They can fund them at the level necessary to keep things going and improving and pay for it by holding Wall Street's hand through this difficult time for the nation's economy. We need to stop bailing out the rich and start helping people who think know making $200,000 a year or more is a lot of money.