MTA expects to charge bus riders 25 cents extra if they use coins
Arizona Coin Collector
http://yournabe.com/articles/2008/12/31/queens/doc495bbbcf60752054063045.txt
Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx
MTA expects to charge bus riders 25 cents extra if they use coins
By Philip Newman
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 5:17 PM EST
Cash-strapped transit officials have come up with
more possibilities in the event there is no bailout
of the MTA, including requiring bus patrons to pay
more for using coins and a 26 percent fare hike on
the Long Island Rail Road.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority released
new figures in preparation for a series of public
hearings on higher fares and service cuts, including
one in Flushing Jan. 20.
The MTA is obligated by law to conduct hearings
before raising fares.
Without desperately hoped for major money from the
New York state Legislature - perhaps through
approval of a 12-county payroll tax - the MTA would
be forced to implement its Draconian plan to raise
fares and drastically cut transit service. The
transit agency faces a $1.2 billion deficit going
into 2009.
It was the second set of numbers in as many weeks
made public by the MTA.
"These figures are among possibilities, but are not
final," said Aaron Donovan, a spokesman for the MTA.
Under the latest plan, bus patrons would pay a quarter
extra on buses if they used coins rather than a
MetroCard.
The basic fare on subways and buses would increase
from $2 to $3, although the fare for the straphanger
using a MetroCard would rise to $2.25.
"This provides encouragement for customers to buy a
MetroCard," said MTA chief spokesman Jeremy Soffin.
"The MetroCard saves time and money."
The MTA has long contended that passengers using
coins slow down the boarding process on buses.
Depending on destinations, LIRR fares would increase
from 24 percent to 29 percent, but would average out
to 26 percent.
Under the latest plan, fares on Access-A-Ride service
for the disabled and elderly would increase from $2
to either $4.50 or $5.
The student discount would be abolished on express
buses.
"At the end of the day, we hope not to have to
implement any of these proposals," Soffin said.
In any case, the MTA has said March will be critical,
at which time it would have to begin the service cuts
if its bailout money was npt on the horizon. Fare
increases would take effect in May or June.
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at
ne...@timesledger.com or phone at 718-229-0300,
Ext. 136.
..
mazorj
"Arizona Coin Collector" <nos...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:poGdnbiEMP11T8HU...@earthlink.com...
> FROM:
> http://yournabe.com/articles/2008/12/31/queens/doc495bbbcf60752054063045.txt
>
> Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx
>
> MTA expects to charge bus riders 25 cents extra if they use coins
Reminds me of the story about the U.S. Parks director who announced
that if the proposed budget cuts were enacted, he would have to cut
back on the visiting hours for the Washington Monument and other
attractions, on the theory that the prospect of having ticked-off
tourists complain to their CongressCritters would make them change
their minds. Supposedly it worked.
Methinks the transit authorities likewise have floated some
deliberately outrageous and unpalatable consequences of underfunding.
OTOH, if they do manage to impose a surcharge for using coins, it may
be another milestone in a trend to replace currency with plastic.
I suppose there would be at least a few advantages to a cashless
society, like the virtual disappearance of panhandlers. And best of
all, that definitely would put an end to cartoonish coin designs and
stupid theme gimmick programs. ;-)
"Roßert G. Schaffrath"
> FROM:
> http://yournabe.com/articles/2008/12/31/queens/doc495bbbcf60752054063045.txt
>
> Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx
>
> MTA expects to charge bus riders 25 cents extra if they use coins
>
> By Philip Newman
> Wednesday, December 31, 2008 5:17 PM EST
>
> Cash-strapped transit officials have come up with
> more possibilities in the event there is no bailout
> of the MTA, including requiring bus patrons to pay
> more for using coins and a 26 percent fare hike on
> the Long Island Rail Road.
>
> The Metropolitan Transportation Authority released
> new figures in preparation for a series of public
> hearings on higher fares and service cuts, including
> one in Flushing Jan. 20.
>
> The MTA is obligated by law to conduct hearings
> before raising fares.
The hearings are a waste of time and I have never gone to one. They
even complain that very few people, if any, show up. I cannot think of
a reason why they should. I do not believe anything ever said by the
public at any of these meetings has even had any impact at all. They
are required to hold the meetings but they are not required to listen or
even take any of the comments into their discussions.
However, the last thing the MTA needs is more money. Just like schools,
medicine and defense, there isn't enough money on the planet to satiate
the appetite of that agency. You could plug the entire GNP of the
country into that agency and they would still claim poverty. They waste
money because they can. There is no need to improve productivity or
even try and find ways to save money because they don't have to earn it.
They get it through taxes and fees that no one can avoid paying. If
they were a real company, they would have to compete in the marketplace.
I seriously doubt if any of their management has a clue what a well
run company looks like.