This morning the Daily News reported that Assembly leader Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) denounced the MTA's bid for a fare increase this February. The long, long-time politician said the MTA board should wait to see what the legislature can give them in the next session before raising the fare. Despite Silver's influence in Albany, the only man that oversees the board and can stop what they do is the Governor. So what did he have to say this morning?
From The NYT Cityroom:
Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced this morning that he was directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to scale back its plan to increase subway and bus fares, holding the base cost at $2 per ride. His plan would still allow the authority to increase some fares, including the cost of the 7-day and 30-day unlimited-ride MetroCards.
In a statement handed out to reporters, Mr. Spitzer said:As the M.T.A. budget forecasts, their balance sheets yielded another $220 million. Based on the current economic climate that has so many New Yorkers feeling squeezed, it seemed only proper that this amount be returned to the riders. I am therefore calling on the M.T.A. to use these funds to reduce the proposed fare and toll increase. This reduction will ease the burden for the millions of New Yorkers who use the M.T.A.’s transportation network every day and will allow the M.T.A. to hold the base fare for subways and buses to $2.
The governor’s proposal left open the possibility that other transit fares — the cost of unlimited-ride MetroCards, commuter railroad fares, and bridge and tunnel tolls — could still rise.
Despite Spitzer's ultimate authority on fare hikes, it seems he is making a solid compromise with the board. Although I would rather they keep all the fares as is, especially with their budget in the black by $220 million. Regardless, holding the base fare as it is is a step in the right direction.
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