MTA to Hold Hearing on Proposed Fare Hikes

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.

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."

Long Islanders are already paying significantly more to help the MTA, State Sen. Charles Fuschillo, R-Merrick, said in a statement.

The MTA bailout plan, passed by the state lawmakers last year, saddled Long Islanders with more than $341 million a year more in taxes, fees, and fare increases to support the MTA, Fuschillo said.

"I encourage residents who oppose paying higher LIRR fares to make their voices heard and tell the MTA 'no' to the fare hikes," he said.

Legislator Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, also urges residents to attend this hearing to voice their opinions.

"To increase fares...during difficult economic times, while continually cutting service, is unconscionable and will result in decreased ridership and reduced revenue," said Denenberg. "Instead, the MTA should look to increase revenue by improving its service and increasing ridership. The MTA is a state created authority, so we need to show our state officials and the MTA that this proposal is unacceptable."

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.

Bellmore resident Melanie Warner has been riding the LIRR for the past nine years.

"The repeated fare hikes are making it less economical to use mass transit," said Warner. "I need to seriously consider finding a job closer to home or a group of people to car pool with into the city. The hike would be more palatable if we actually saw improvements in the quality of the service. Unfortunately, increasing the fare usually does nothing for the delays or the unsanitary conditions."

Wantagh resident Andrew Kurz was paying $200 for a monthly train ticket and unlimited MetroCard when he first began commuting from Bellmore nine years ago.

"Now it's up to $310," he added. "Another fare increase, which is the result of poor budget management by the MTA right after last year's, has a crippling effect on commuters- most of which haven't seen salary increases during our economic contraction."

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.