NEW YORK—A petition has sprung up on online against proposed metro fare hikes.
Fare hikes of 7.5 percent that were originally scheduled to go into effect January 2013, and again in January 2015, were recently pushed back to March 2013, and March 2015. The hikes are still termed proposed because the MTA board wouldn’t approve them, along with the rest of the budget, until December. Public hearings will be held in the fall about the proposed increases.
The online petition asks Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to stop the fare hike, and was started by Transportation Alternatives, an advocacy group.
Fares have risen for 30-day unlimited MetroCards from $76 in 2007 to $104 in 2012, and according to the petition will rise to $122 next March, if the scheduled fare hike goes into effect.
“The MTA cannot be bailed out by selling New Yorkers out. It’s time for the city and state to step up and invest in public transit,” states the petition, adding that the state government has cut $260 million in “dedicated transit” funds, while the city government hasn’t increased funding for the MTA since 1992. The petition letter tells Cuomo “as the governor, you’re now accountable for the MTA.”
The state will give the MTA $188 million in the estimated 2013 budget, while the city will provide $215 million.
Farebox revenue currently equals about two-fifths, or $5.4 billion, of the MTA’s budget. If the fares are increased, the MTA expects added revenue of $450 million for the 2013 increase, and $500 million for the 2015 increase. The increases are needed because of rising “uncontrollable costs,” such as pensions, health care, and energy, according to MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph Lhota.
At about 1 p.m., the petition had 4,000 supporters. At 8 p.m., it had over 10,000. It is aimed at garnering 50,000 supporters.
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