30-day MetroCard would increase by $4.50 in two models the MTA is considering for the 2015 fare hike, sources say
The MTA board will decide between the two fare scenarios, one of which would keep the base fare at $2.50 but trim the MetroCard bonus; while the other would raise the base fare to $2.75 but increase the bonus. Monthly and weekly MetroCards would cost $116.50 and $31, respectively, under both models.
The MTA has drafted two possible fare-hike schemes for bus and subway riders — one that keeps the $2.50 base fare stable and another that raises it by a quarter.
But both models would increase the monthly MetroCard by $4.50.
The two scenarios were fashioned in advance of public hearings that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will hold next month.
The MTA board may not vote on a final package until January, but the increases would still go into effect as scheduled in March.
According to sources, the two fare-hike options are:
Option One: The base fare would remain at $2.50, but the 5% bonus would get trimmed. The 7-Day MetroCard goes up a buck, to $31, while the 30-Day MetroCard rises $4.50, to $116.50.
Option Two: The base fare is boosted by 25 cents, to $2.75, and the bonus increases from 5% to 11%. The 7-Day and 30-Day MetroCards are the same as in option one: $31 for the 7-Day card and $116.50 for the 30-Day pass.
“The MTA has worked hard to trim expenses and and keep future fare and toll increases at the rate of inflation but we’re still developing the final proposal,” said MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg; he would not comment on the specifics of the two options.
The MTA’s preliminary budget for next year includes fare and toll revenues rising by 4%, which would equal approximately $290 million annually. Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign advocacy group said the two proposals demonstrate an attempt by the authority to limit the impact on riders’ wallets.
“No increase would be better, but riders aren’t getting mugged by either approach,” Russianoff said.
The most recent fare hike went into effect in March of last year.
The MTA board will decide between the two fare scenarios, one of which would keep the base fare at $2.50 but trim the MetroCard bonus; while the other would raise the base fare to $2.75 but increase the bonus. Monthly and weekly MetroCards would cost $116.50 and $31, respectively, under both models.
The MTA has drafted two possible fare-hike schemes for bus and subway riders — one that keeps the $2.50 base fare stable and another that raises it by a quarter.
But both models would increase the monthly MetroCard by $4.50.
The two scenarios were fashioned in advance of public hearings that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will hold next month.
The MTA board may not vote on a final package until January, but the increases would still go into effect as scheduled in March.
According to sources, the two fare-hike options are:
Option One: The base fare would remain at $2.50, but the 5% bonus would get trimmed. The 7-Day MetroCard goes up a buck, to $31, while the 30-Day MetroCard rises $4.50, to $116.50.
Option Two: The base fare is boosted by 25 cents, to $2.75, and the bonus increases from 5% to 11%. The 7-Day and 30-Day MetroCards are the same as in option one: $31 for the 7-Day card and $116.50 for the 30-Day pass.
“The MTA has worked hard to trim expenses and and keep future fare and toll increases at the rate of inflation but we’re still developing the final proposal,” said MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg; he would not comment on the specifics of the two options.
The MTA’s preliminary budget for next year includes fare and toll revenues rising by 4%, which would equal approximately $290 million annually. Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign advocacy group said the two proposals demonstrate an attempt by the authority to limit the impact on riders’ wallets.
“No increase would be better, but riders aren’t getting mugged by either approach,” Russianoff said.
The most recent fare hike went into effect in March of last year.
