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

MTA Budget News

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

MTA to hold virtual hearing on fare hikes

It is the first of several planned public hearings throughout the month.

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.

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.

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.