MTA holding virtual public hearing on fare hikes amid 'doomsday' budget

MTA Budget News
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The MTA will host a virtual public hearing on its proposals for fare and toll policies.

The newly unveiled plan includes the potential for a 2 or 4% fare hike.
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The MTA is also suggesting that if the base fare for a MetroCard does not increase the price of 7 and 30 day passes would.

On top of that, the agency is proposing increasing the "green" fee for new MetroCards above the current $1.

"The MTA will begin the standard review process for fare and toll adjustments, although we recognize this year is anything but standard, with a series of virtual public hearings," MTA chairman Patrick Foye said in a statement. "With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to reviewing a wide variety of proposals and will work to minimize the impact on our customers."

Tuesday's is the first in a series of hearings throughout the month.

2020 Virtual Public Hearing Dates
- Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m.
- Monday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 14, at 5:30 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m.

2020 Virtual Satellite Hearing Dates
- Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Related: MTA outlines 'draconian' cuts without $12 billion in federal aid

The so-called doomsday scenario is playing out because the MTA says it has so far been denied $12 billion in federal funds for which the agency has been begging for months.
The draconian measures also include cutting as much as 40% of service on subways and buses, as well as 50% on commuter rail lines like the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North, along with over 9,000 layoffs.



The agency is required to pass a balanced budget by the end of the year, and the new budget includes the combination of layoffs and service changes designed to close a pandemic-induced $12.2 billion deficit through 2024. The cuts would save $1.2 billion but would devastate the city's public transportation system.

Related: MTA in worse shape than during the Great Depression, officials say
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