By GREG MOCKER pix11.com | @gregmocker WPIX-LTV

10:35 p.m. EDT, October 15, 2012
NEW YORK (PIX11)—
Riders and commuters will see an increase in fares and tolls. The question is how much of an increase will there be?

The base fare is currently $2.25. A series of 4 proposals were put forth Monday by the staff of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority

MTA Chairman and CEO Joe Lhota says the MTA has cut and saved hundreds of millions of dollars. A press release details the MTA’s reasons for the fare and toll increases: “Costs that the MTA does not exercise control over, namely those for debt service, pensions, energy, paratransit, and employee and retiree health care, continue to increase beyond the rate of inflation,” says Chairman Lhota. “We are grappling with long-term measures to reduce these frustrating and difficult non-discretionary expenses, but today, they are the drivers of the need for a fare and toll increase.” 

Each proposal would raise the same amount of money, the MTA reports. That is estimated to be about $450 million. Here’s the break down for the proposed increases to subway and bus rides, as provided by the MTA:

Under Proposal 1, the base fare would rise to $2.50. Under proposal 1A, the bonus discount would remain unchanged, effectively providing a per-trip fare of $2.34. Under this proposal, the 30-day unlimited MetroCard would rise to $112 and the 7-day would rise to $30. Under proposal 1B, the bonus discount would be eliminated but the increases to time-based cards would be lower. The 30-day would rise to $109 and the 7-day would remain unchanged. 

Under Proposal 2, the base fare would remain unchanged. Under Proposal 2A, the bonus discount would be reduced to 5%, effectively increasing the per-trip fare to $2.14. Under this proposal, the 30-day unlimited MetroCard would rise to $125 and the 7-day would rise to $34. Under Proposal 2B, the bonus discount would be eliminated, the 30-day card would rise to $119, and the 7-day would rise to $32.

Customers can voice their concerns at a series of public hearings. This year, MTA will be accepting recorded video messages. Here are the locations as provided by the MTA.

Wednesday, November 7 Tuesday, November 13
  • The Bronx – Hostos Community College, Center for the Arts and Culture, 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY
  • Manhattan – Baruch College Performing Arts Center, Mason Hall, 17 Lexington Avenue at 23rd Street, New York, NY
Wednesday, November 14
  • Orange County  – Hilton Garden Inn Newburgh/Stewart Airport, Vanderbilt/Astor Rooms, 15 Crossroads Court, Newburgh, NY
  • Staten Island – College of Staten Island, Center for the Arts, Springer Concert Hall, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY
Thursday, November 15
  • Queens – Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel, 135-20 39th Avenue, Flushing, NY
  • Westchester County – Yonkers Public Library, Riverfront Library Auditorium, One Larkin Center, Yonkers, NY
Members of the public who wish to record a videotaped comment can visit the following MTA facilities at the listed times. All comments will be transcribed and made part of the permanent record of these hearings. Please note there is a 3-minute time limit for each individual's videotaped session, and there will be no question-and-answer period.
  • Thursday, November 8 – 9 a.m. to noon
    MTA New York City Transit Headquarters, 3 Stone Street, New York, NY
  • Tuesday, November 13 – 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
    LIRR Hicksville Station
  • Tuesday, November 13 – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    Metro-North Poughkeepsie Station, Pedestrian Overpass
  • Wednesday, November 14 – 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
    LIRR Ronkonkoma Station
Members of the public are also encouraged to submit written comments via to the MTA's website, or register to speak at a public hearing by calling (718) 521-3333 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.  MTA Board Members will review transcripts of all public hearings and submitted videos, as well as copies of all written comments submitted via the web.

Those who wish to submit a comment via letter are asked to send it to:

MTA Government Affairs
347 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor New York, NY 10017

Or you can visit the MTA website: http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=845