By Philip Newman
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Monday disclosed a complete list of its proposals to hike bus and subway fares as well as bridge and tunnel tolls by a total of 4 percent in the next two years.
The MTA also announced it would hold a public hearing on the increases at York College in Jamaica Dec. 3.
“The MTA is keeping its promises to ensure that fare and toll increases are as low as possible and these options are designed to minimize their impact on our customers,” said MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast.
“We have cut more than $1 billion from our ongoing expenses, but a modest fare and toll increase is necessary to balance our budget against the increased costs of providing the bus, subway, railroad and paratransit service that is the backbone of the region’s mobility and economic growth.”
MTA officials said the board would look over comments and suggestions from the public hearings and might use them to modify the proposals before voting on them in January 2015.
In the first proposal the base fare would increase by 25 cents and the bonus amount would rise from 5 percent to 11 percent when putting $5.50 or more on a MetroCard.
Under the second proposal, the base fare for cash, Single Ride tickets and Pay Per Ride MetroCards would remain unchanged, but the bonus for putting $5 or more on a MetroCard would be eliminated.
In both proposals the cost of a 30-day Unlimited Ride MetroCard would increase by $4.50 and the cost of a seven-day Unlimited Ride MetroCard would go up by $l.
Fares on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad are based on the distance traveled and are lower during less busy, off-peak times, so some proposed increases could be below or above 4 percent because they must occur in 25-cent increments. Fare increases would be capped at 50 cents per trip.
The agency also is proposing to raise car tolls at major crossing like the Queens Midtown Tunnel and the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge by 4 percent, which is equivalent to 21 cents, for E-ZPass customers.
The board must approve the proposed increases, which may be modified based on public input. The hikes will take place in March.
The public hearing in Queens for Dec. 3 is scheduled at the Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center at York College, Main Stage Theater, 94-0 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. Jamaica. Registration 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The hearing starts at 6 p.m.
