MTA Wants 4-Percent Hike in Fares

NEW YORK (AP) —
mta fare hike
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio purchasing a MetroCard Wednesday at 42nd Street station. (Benjamin Kanter/Mayoral Photo Office)

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is pushing forward with plans to increase fares next year.

MTA Chairman Joe Lhota proposed two 4-percent fare hikes during a board meeting Wednesday, with one taking place in 2019, and the other in 2021. Officials say the hikes are necessary to stave off budget deficits. Ridership has also dropped by more than 190,000 weekday passengers in May, down to 7.7 million per day, compared to the same time last year. The agency is expected to see a $376 million decrease in fare revenue between 2019 and 2022.

Lhota says the transit system is experiencing a nationwide trend of fewer riders. He says it’s due to a combination of service, for-hire vehicles and fare evasion.

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