Beginning March 22, 2015, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority will commence an effort to raise fares by four per percent over a two year period, a plan which is set to fund system maintenance.
The increase, which will primarily affect bus and subway customers, was approved on Thursday by the MTA Board in order to subsidise the $15.2 billion deficit in the $32 billion five year plan to upgrade, expand and improve MTA services.
Photo: courtesy of media.treehugger.com.
The base fare for the subway will increase by 25 cents or ten percent to $2.75 per ride, while the 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard will increase by four percent to $116.50. However, it is not all bad news, as loyal MTA customers will see the lowest increases as MetroCard bonuses rise. Riders will receive an 11% bonus for every $5.50 purchase, a substantial increase from the current 5% bonus for $5 purchases. Additionally, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Rail Road customers will see increases up to 4.25%.
Drivers will not be spared from fare increases, with tolls rising four percent on MTA bridges and tunnels for over 75% of vehicles using a New York Customer Service Center (NYCSC) E-ZPass. Drivers paying cash will see tolls increase between 6.7% and 10%.
The system, which includes New York City subways and buses as well as Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road, serves an average 8.6 million riders per weekda
The authority’s chairman and chief executive, Thomas Prendergast, said a $1 billion reduction in operating costs has enabled the MTA to approve a lower increase to fares, benefiting the 8.6 million customers who ride the system each day.
– By Lizzie Crittenden
