A reminder that despite the Obama administration's unprecedented investment in infrastructure, all is not well -- far from it -- for the nation's public-transit riders: After scuttling Mayor Mike Bloomberg's congestion-pricing plan last year, legislators in Albany are once again twiddling their thumbs as New York City's MTA faces an insurmountable budget gap. By the end of today, commuting to and from work could cost New Yorkers, in the middle of a recession, more than ever before. The Times reports:
The base subway and bus fare in New York City would rise to $2.50, up from $2. A 30-day MetroCard would cost $103, up from $81. A monthly ticket on the Long Island Rail Road for a commuter who travels between Ronkonkoma and Pennsylvania Station would increase to $352, up from $278.
Long Island Bus would no longer accept New York City monthly unlimited MetroCards, and single bus rides would cost $3.50 instead of $2.00. This is a travesty. It is only the poorest of suburbanites, such as recent immigrants, who regularly rely on bus service. In addition, two subway lines and 35 bus routes would be discontinued, and 1,100 transit workers would lose their jobs, even though demand for transit service is higher than ever before.
But it doesn't have to be this way. Compromise legislation is circulating in the state Assembly that would raise fares by a mere 8 percent, impose at least a $2 toll on all car commuters taking bridges and tunnels into New York City, and use payroll tax revenue to make up for some of the rest of the budget gap. Given Albany's history of ignoring the needs of public-transit riders, I'm not holding my breath. New York's wonderful Streetsblog is calling the likely scenario "doomsday." Sad.
For more on the history of transit policy in New York under the Bloomberg administration, check out my November feature on the topic.
--Dana Goldstein
