Here's When New Yorkers Can Sound Off On MTA's New Fare Hikes

New York City NY

19 November, 2020

4:37 PM

Description

NEW YORK CITY — Straphangers might have to cover their mouths during coronavirus, but they don't have to muzzle their opinions on the fairness of MTA's potential fare hike. MTA begins virtual public comment sessions Dec. 1 on a proposed 4 percent fare increase. A hike to raise revenue was approved during a Wednesday board meeting and could take many forms — a per-swipe increase, the elimination of seven-day and 30-day MetroCards and many other options. "The MTA will begin the standard review process for fare and toll adjustments, although we recognize this year is anything but standard, with a series of virtual public hearings," said Patrick Foye, MTA Chairman and CEO, in a statement. "With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to reviewing a wide variety of proposals and will work to minimize the impact on our customers." MTA officials warn that without $12 billion in federal aid that they'd have to cut subway and bus services by up to 40 percent and lay off 9,400 employees. The fare increase would take effect in 2021. Here are the options that MTA officials are discussing, as summarized in a release: Base 2 percent — Increase fares on all ticket types to generate a 2 percent revenue yieldBase 4 percent — Increase fares on all ticket types to generate a 4 percent revenue yieldEliminate Time-Based Passes — Elimination of seven- and 30-day passes; base fare would not increaseKeep Base Fare Flat — Hold base fare at $2.75 and increase price of 7- and 30-day passesEliminate Bus Coinage — In preparation for OMNY roll out with large out-of-system sales networkDiscontinue Walk-Up Reduced Fare — Simplify process for joining the Reduced Fare Program. This process was suspended during COVID.Increase Green Fee — Increase the "green fee" for new MetroCard purchases above the current $1Eliminate Single Ride Ticket (SRT) — Remove the SRT as a fare optionSingle Ride Ticket (SRT) Fare — Increase the base fare for SRT by up to $1The hearings will unfold on Zoom, with a livestream available. They are scheduled for: 2020 Virtual Public Hearing Dates Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. 2020 Virtual Satellite Hearing Dates Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. People must pre-register to speak, with registration for all virtual hearings opening Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. Registration closes at 5 p.m. the day before each hearing. MTA board members will also accept written comments on the proposals on the transit agency's fare and toll hearing website and through the MTA's Public Hearing Hotline at 646-252-6777. More information can be found at new.mta.info/2020hearings.