The cost of riding subways, buses and commuter railroads in the New York region will almost certainly rise in June; that much is clear. But the magnitude and nature of the increases are unclear.
To spell out the possibilities, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority released four options on Monday that it is considering as part of its effort to close a $1.2 billion budget gap.
The increases might not be final until well into the spring, even though the authority�s board, which approved the increases this month, is supposed to approve the final details by March.
Before the start of the next state fiscal year on April 1, the Legislature is expected to consider a financial plan put forward by Richard Ravitch, a former chairman of the authority who led a panel in studying mass transit financing.
The four options for subway and bus fares include two that would increase toll and fare revenue by 23 percent, as the authority has proposed, and two for an 8 percent increase in fare and toll revenue, as the Ravitch plan recommends.
The authority has scheduled eight public hearings on the increases. The first is Jan. 14 in Manhattan.
Under one of two plans for a 23 percent revenue increase, the changes would be applied relatively evenly across different types of fares, with the standard ride rising to $2.50, from $2.
Under the other, that fare would be $2.25 for two or more trips purchased at one time, but riders who use coins on buses or buy single-use MetroCards would have to pay $3 a ride, and the bonus for buying pay-per-ride MetroCards (currently 15 percent for purchases of $7 or more) would be eliminated.
Under one of two plans for an 8 percent increase, the standard fare would rise to $2.25, and the bonus would increase to 20 percent, for pay-per-ride MetroCard purchases of $7.50 or more.
Under the other, the standard fare would remain at $2, but those who pay cash or buy single-ride tickets would pay $2.25, and the pay-per-ride bonus would be eliminated.
(Source: NY Times)
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=27930
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