Politics & Government

MTA to Hold Hearing on Proposed Fare Hikes

Commuters invited to comment on proposed train ticket and toll changes.

Residents are invited to attend a public hearing hosted by the MTA Thursday night to address proposed fare hikes for 2011.

The MTA is proposing to increase fare and toll revenues by 7.5 percent in January 2011. As proposed, this increase could mean as much as a 9.4 percent fare increase for Long Island Rail Road commuters.

Other proposed changes include reducing the time period during which certain ticket types are valid, increasing fees for certain ticket transactions, and eliminating the 2 percent Mail & Ride discount and the 4 percent MetroCard discount for joint purchase of monthly commutation tickets and MetroCards.

Find out what's happening in Malverne-Lynbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to a statement on the MTA's website, "In the spring of 2009 a multi-year financial framework was developed to address the MTA's budget shortfalls in recognition of the vital role that mass transit plays in the region. Fare and toll increases were a key component of this overall strategy which also included enactment of new state taxes and fees to support the MTA. Fares and tolls were expected to rise in 2011 and 2013, and in each of these years the planned increases were to generate an additional 7.5 percent in new revenue."

Senator Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) said he thinks the MTA is taking advantage of Long Islanders. "Whether it's the payroll job tax, service cuts, and now fair hikes, Long Islanders continue to be gauged and shortchanged by an unresponsive and unaccountable MTA that is more concerned with its New York City ridership than its Long Island commuters," he said.

Find out what's happening in Malverne-Lynbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In recent years commuters have incurred a 10 percent increase in June 2009, a 4 percent increase in March 2008 and an 8 percent increase in March 2005. Recent proposed fare hikes would take effect Jan. 1, 2011, resulting in an over 30 percent increase over the past five years.

And some residents aren't happy about it.

"The MTA is a monopoly so they can do whatever they want," said a Lynbrook resident wishing to be identified only as "Jim." He said he takes the Long Island Rail Road to his job in the Bronx every day, but despite the possible fare increases, would still prefer the railroad to driving. He added that he, like other commuters, are dependent on the trains, so most would likely be forced to pay the extra money. "I feel like my hands are tied."

Peter Haynes, president of the LIRR Commuters Campaign has attended a few meetings in the past, but said he believes that the "MTA just goes through the motions of listening."

"Then they do whatever they want," he added. "I think there are more productive actions to take against the MTA than attending meetings that are mandatory and just for show. They could establish a passengers advisory committee, where commuters and other interested passengers would be able to pass input to the MTA (and its sub agencies) on complaints, suggestions, etc. There would then be a formal review process and a resolution that would be publicly available on a website."

The hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Garden City Hotel. Registration opens at 5 p.m. and closes at 9 p.m. Speakers can also register online at the MTA website, or by calling 212-878-7483.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here