May 5, 2009

Subway fare to rise to only $2.25, but 50-cent taxi jab

There is moderately good news out of the state capital tonight: The previously announced subway fare hike to $2.50 from $2.00 probably will not happen.

Instead, it will probably be only rise to $2.25, and probably not until July 1 or so, according to NY1.

Subway fares will rise again in coming years, according to NY1. The current plan calls for a 7.5 percent increase in 2011 and again in 2013.

The tentative deal reached by state legislators in Albany would mean no service cuts or layoffs at the MTA, but there would be workforce reduction through attrition and retirement, NY1 is reporting.

To offset the loss of revenue, the new agreement calls for payroll taxes, a 50-cent surcharge on all taxi rides, a $25 increase in vehicle registration fees, a 25- to 30-percent increase in drivers’ license fees and a 5 percent increase in a tax on car rentals, according to the New York Times. Fares will also rise about 10 percent on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, the Times said.

There will be no new tolls on bridges and tunnels around New York City, leaving several spans entirely free for cars and trucks.

May 5, 2009 9:09 PM in Transportology

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