Well folks, the MTA has hiked up the fares. Again. Let us rejoice by packing an uncomfortable amount of people into a train that’s sure to be delayed by “train traffic ahead of us.”

On March 22nd the fare change went into action, raising the price of a single ride for buses and trains to $2.75 and the 30-day amount to $116.50. LIRR and Metro North prices have increased by 4% and the E-Z Pass tolls have increased by 21 cents. Fare increases are scheduled to occur every two years and the increase in tolls and public transportation fares this year are expected to bring in about $210 million. Unfortunately this increased fare only covers the raises of MTA workers, but does not go toward the much needed construction and repairs.

The MTA needs $15 billion per year to do the necessary work and cover their deficit but at the moment they’re ringing in at a mere $13 billion instead. They’re trying to obtain a fully funded five-year rebuilding plan of $32 billion that would give us new subway cars, buses, and a new computerized system.

Overall there have been four fare increases in the last seven years while the city government hasn’t raised the MTA’s capital plan since the early 1980s, paying only about $100 million annually. If Albany doesn’t step up in this situation, the responsibility is going to fall on the over six million public transportation users and the fare hikes are going to happen more often and for larger amounts.

There are mixed responses on the fare hike overall with some saying that it’s a fair amount and others complaining about having to shell out the extra money. If the trains ran smoothly without any hiccups in travel, I would probably fall in the former category, but since that’s rarely the case, I’m going to have to give a big eye roll to the MTA for this one.