Week of public hearings begins on proposed MTA fare hikes

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The MTA is beginning a week of public hearings on its proposed rate hike for straphangers and bus riders.

The hearings begin Monday night at the Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture in the Bronx, at 450 Grand Concourse, and in Manhattan at Baruch Performing Arts Center on Lexington Avenue.

The registration period for each is between 4 and 8 p.m. The hearings start at 5 p.m.

The MTA says the increase would be about 2% each year for the next two years.

For subway riders, the MTA unveiled two proposals.

The first proposal will raise the base fare 25-cents to $2.75 and increase the bonus amount on MetroCards to 11% if you put in $5.50 or more.

In the second proposal, the base fare will remain unchanged at $2.50, but the bonus amount will be eliminated on MetroCards.

The increase on the LIRR and Metro-North depends on the length of the trip and can be anywhere from 2.1 to 6.1%.

If approved, higher fares will go into effect by March of next year.