Pols & civic leaders push to stop MTA fare hike

Just weeks before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) hosts its first public hearing on possible fare and toll increases, a coalition of public and civic leaders began a preemptive strike on the authority by launching a Stop the Hike Campaign.
Members of the City Council, State Senate, Assembly and City Comptroller William Thompson recently called on the MTA to reexamine its preliminary proposal that could increase fares by up to $.25 to $2.25 for a single ride.
“Before New Yorkers are asked to dip into their pockets and pocketbooks, we are asking the MTA to not rush ahead prematurely,” Comptroller Thompson said. “It is imperative that we look at any and all sources of revenue that can be applied to eliminate - or at least to minimize - any fare or toll increase in the immediate future.”
The MTA is planning to hold a public hearing at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel on Wednesday, November 7 beginning at 6 p.m. for residents to submit testimony regarding the proposed fare increases.
However, Queens State Senator Serphin Maltese has already expressed harsh words for the MTA saying that riders should not be subjected to a fare increase at this time.
“The proposed fare and toll hike will place an unfair burden on our hardworking families, many of whom are currently struggling to make ends meet,” Maltese said. “It adds insult to injury that the MTA seeks to impose these increases, when the service they provide continues to suffer from overcrowding, frequent breakdowns and extensive delays.”
Currently the MTA is forecasting a more than $900 million surplus for this year, it believes a fare hike is needed now to prevent projected deficits beginning in 2009.
Meanwhile, the authority recently announced its intentions to continue plans for an extension of the No. 7 train extending it from its current end at Times Square to include a stop at 34th Street and 11th Avenue, although the city said it would not pay for cost overlays on the project, which are expected.
MTA plans also called for a station on 41st Street and 10th Avenue, but funding issues could put that portion of the project in jeopardy. The MTA said it hopes to complete the expansion by 2013.
For more information about the Fare and Toll public hearing, visit https://mta.info/mta/news/hearings/fareandtoll/schedule.htm