An Official Guide to Who’s Getting Screwed By the MTA Fare Hike
December 10, 2007 – 2:14 pmThe MTA announced their new fare hike plan today, after Elliot Spitzer swooped in to save the day and save the $2 base fare. The bottom line of the new plan: everyone is getting screwed. Here’s who, and how.
New York City Residents Who Commute Via Subway/Bus: This is the obvious one. People who commute daily usually purchase a 30-day pass, which is increasing 6.6% to $81. The bottom line: these people are paying more because other people are not. Who will not pay more? Mainly tourists, who will continue to pay $2 for their one brave adventure into the subway system, and the homeless, who will thankfully not have to panhandle for that extra 25 cents after all.
New York City Residents Who Occasionally Use Mass Transit: Sure, the base fare of $2 remains the same, but those New Yorkers who walk or bike to work and only need a subway ride every now and then are usually buying a discounted Metrocard with bonus rides. Well, the bonus is being scaled back to a percentage that gives these riders a useless $1.50 bonus on a $10 Metrocard. On the bright side, they could always use that leftover $1.50 for a ride to New Jersey on the PATH, which also accepts Metrocards. Unfortunately, at that point, you’d be stuck in New Jersey.
Metro-North and LIRR Commuters Who Also Use the Subway: These folks are getting screwed twice: not only are commuter rail fares going up about 3-4%, but now their subway fare is going up, too. The real kicker? It’s no longer worth it for these commuters to buy a 30-day Metrocard. If they travel via subway twice daily during workweeks, their subway rides will cost $76.52 (with the 15% bonus) over a 30-day period - more than $4 less than the cost of a 30-day Metrocard.
Metro-North and LIRR Commuters Who Don’t Commute to Grand Central or Penn Station: The fares for these “intermediate” rides, as the railroads call them, are facing the steepest increases in the system: 7.7%. This is one of the fastest-growing segments of commuter rail ridership - especially with the expanding hubs of commerce in White Plains, Stamford, and New Rochelle. While these are places that are often more accessible by car, the MTA had to find a way to screw everyone who uses public transportation to commute.
Eliot Spitzer: Once the groups listed above realize they’re still getting screwed - and are probably getting screwed more because he held the base subway fare at $2 - his already-low approval ratings will plummet even further. But unlike the other groups listed here, he deserves to get screwed.
9 Responses
This whole thing blows my mind on so many levels that it’s hard to know where to start.
Rarely does something drive me to the point of considering violence as a viable and effective option, but this is most definitely one of those times.
Does anyone know of a bar where all the MTA Executives hang out after work? I certainly wouldn’t mind whipping a few beer mugs at some faces.
By Ryan on Dec 10, 2007
Thanks for being all mathy on this! I knew it would suck, now I know to what extent is the suck. Also, fuck Spitzer. He’s completely broken my heart.
By Sally Tomato on Dec 10, 2007
so, since you are so deep in this…should I still buy the unlimited? I’m so confused now. well pissed and confused so I can’t really process the better deal
By Val on Dec 10, 2007
Val: If you use the subway more than twice a day, five days a week, you should still buy the unlimited.
By Chris on Dec 10, 2007
I’m sure this increase is going to be used to fund better service, performance, and kinder employees, right?
By Rick on Dec 10, 2007
Rick: I know your comment was in jest, but the MTA Plan, even with the fare hike, calls for a 4% reduction in service in 2009.
By Chris on Dec 10, 2007
At a time when Bloomberg is busy trying to resuscitate congestion pricing (yet another tax on people who live and work in the NYC Metro area), they’re going to impose fare hikes on those who are using mass transit at a time when people should be encouraged to use mass transit more.
People, especially those who use Metro North, are going to see the fare hikes and decide that its cheaper to drive and park in the city and more convenient than taking trains that are likely to have delays and not even have a seat.
And as bad as it is with Metro North, things are worse with NJ Transit, which continues shorting trains during the holiday season.
By lawhawk on Dec 11, 2007
$1.50 Bonus? What the frick am I supposed to do with a $1.50 bonus? Seriously.
By Jenny on Dec 13, 2007