MTA Expects Lower Fare Increases

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority expects to scale back fare and toll increases of 7.5% previously planned for 2015 and 2017; now the increases will still occur, but are likely to be only about 4%, according to reporting by Matt Flegenheimer in The New York Times (November 14). The proposed new increases, which still need approval by the MTA’s board, are made possible by improved financial outlook and increasing revenues both from passengers and from real estate.  It’s not clear how the reduced increases would actually be implemented; the base fare on the subway and bus system is $2.50, and can be increased only in amounts of 25¢, so any increase in the base fare would be at least 10%.  However, the MTA has many other areas in which to increase fares and bridge and tunnel tolls.

The full article may be seen at (limited access) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/14/nyregion/mta-sees-smaller-rise-for-its-fares-in-15-and-17.html?_r=0