New York Subway Fares Jump to $2.75 Today

According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) webpage, "Fares and tolls will go up by 4% over the next two years with the increases set to take effect March 22 on MTA New York City Transit buses and subways, MTA Bus, the MTA Staten Island Railway, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels (and) MTA Long Island Rail Road and MTA Metro-North Railroad.

"Widespread problems across the subway system in recent weeks have left weary commuters waiting on crowded platforms, stranded inside stalled cars and scram," writes Emma G. Fitzsimmons of The New York Times. "With a fare increase set to go into effect on Sunday, riders across New York City are complaining of having to pay more when service is worse."

Officials at the [Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)] acknowledge that delays have grown and point to a 110-year-old system that is working to accommodate a record six million riders a day. “We are seeing a system that is bursting at the seams in terms of increased ridership,” Kevin Ortiz, a spokesman for the transportation agency, said.

Capital Plan Funding Gap

"The plan proposes $32 billion in spending over five years, but it is $15 billion short — the largest funding gap ever and a striking sign of the difference between what the system needs and what the authority can afford," writes Fitzsimmons.

As note here earlier, "(f)are increases are now scheduled to be raised every two years." "The previous increase, in 2013, raised the base fare to $2.50, from $2.25," wrote Fitzsimmons in January.

MTA is a state, not a city or regional agency. Gov. Andrew Cuomo "called the plan 'bloated' and has not addressed the funding gap, instead publicly drawing attention to other infrastructure projects, including a new Tappan Zee Bridge and his proposal for an AirTrain to La Guardia Airport."

Do you have a gripe about NYC subway service? Riders Alliance wants to know. Post your subway horror story on their webpage.