Get ready to dig deeper into your pocket to get around. A fare hike on public transportation by the MTA is now in effect.
According to the MTA, the increase is part of a 4 percent raise over the next two years. Fares on buses and subways, the Staten Island Railway, bridges and tunnels, Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North all went up Sunday.
Base fare for subways and buses is now $2.75 and a 30-day MetorCard will cost you $116.50.
New MTA Fares
Subway and Bus: $2.75
7-Day MetroCard: $31
30-Day MetroCard: $116.50
E-ZPass: $5.75
Express Bus: $6.50
The MTA said it’s cut $1.1 billion from its annual spending, with more cuts planned every year to bring annual savings to $1.6 billion by 2018.
In a statement MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast said the increase is needed to provide better service and fund projects for the system.
“The MTA has been able to limit these fare and toll increases to the equivalent of 2 percent a year thanks to our continued aggressive cost-cutting, while still adding service and improving service quality for our growing number of customers,” he said.
This is the fifth fare hike since 2007 for the transit system. Critics say that increase is unfair and hurts low-income New Yorkers. Elected officials are urging riders to take advantage of reduced fares if the qualify as well as bonuses.
“Many in my district use public transportation daily, and as a result purchase more than pay-per-ride MetroCards,” said Brooklyn Council Member Jumaane Williams. “It’s my hope that the added bonus will help offset the hike, even if just slightly, so that New Yorkers are not further burdened by the rising price of inflation.”
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams went as far boycotting the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in November to voice his opposition against the fare hike.
“I am deeply disappointed in the MTA’s decision to raise fares and tolls on hard-working Brooklynites, whose wallets are already stretched to their limits, he said.
Go to mta.info for more information.