Fare Is Fair: NYC Subway Fees Stay at $2
By LARRY McSHANE – 3 hours ago
NEW YORK (AP) — After months of angry public hearings over possible fare increases, transit officials announced Tuesday that the base cost for New York's 7.3 million daily subway and bus riders will remain at $2 through 2009.
The decision was announced by Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who's endured a rougher ride lately than most city commuters, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
"I said I would listen to the public and review the numbers, and I am thrilled that we are able to give something back," MTA Chairman H. Dale Hemmerdinger said.
The 25-cent increase in bus and subway fares throughout the nation's biggest mass-transit system was expected to have gone into effect next year. The MTA said it was backing off the unpopular proposal after an additional $220 million was found in its updated budget forecasts, with a portion of the funds coming from an increase in anticipated ridership.
The decision to stick with the $2 fare could boost public opinion of Spitzer, the Democratic governor whose popularity has been spiraling amid unhappiness over increased state spending and his plan to make it easier for illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses. Spitzer has dropped that proposal.
Fares on discount programs like unlimited monthly and weekly passes are likely to increase, which drew grumbling from opponents of the original plan.
"This fare deal is not a total save," Assemblyman Richard Brodsky said. "It's a good first step, but it's just a good step."
The last fare hike, from $1.50 to $2, came in 2003. The various discount programs make the average actual fare about $1.30.
"My pockets are saying, `Yes! Thank you!'" said Terry Ellison, 47, a city employee from Brooklyn. "That helps out a lot."
Last week, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveiled a widely anticipated plan to increase tolls by 33 percent for drivers between the two states. The agency said the proposal would help build a crucial train tunnel and encourage mass transit and environmentally friendly driving.
Associated Press writers Michael Gormley and Samanatha Gross contributed to this report.