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MTA Releases Final Fare, Toll Increase Proposal

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The MTA is out with its final fare and toll hike proposal and if approved, Long Island Rail Road riders will be hit with increases as high as 15 percent.

WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs: Up To A 15 Percent Increase

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The LIRR hikes range from seven to 15 percent, depending on how far you're going. Commuters headed to and from Hicksville will pay $22 more for a monthly pass. Great Neck commuters will pay $19 more for a monthly.

Each single ride will increase no more than 75 cents.

"That's hard to take in these tough times," said rider Paul Vetrano.

For subway and bus riders, the MTA is proposing to put the bulk of the hike on infrequent travelers rather than everyday riders.

The base fare will rise a quarter to $2.50. The seven-day MetroCard will go up a dollar to $30 and the 30-day MetroCard will go up $8 to $112. Under some of the plans considered, the 30-day card could have gone as high as $125.

For drivers, tolls on the bridges and tunnels will also rise.

Cash tolls on the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, Throgs Neck Bridge, Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, Bronx-Whitestone Bridge and Robert F. Kennedy Bridge will rise by a dollar to $7.50. E-ZPass users will pay $5.33, up from $4.80.

A spokesman for MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said talks on their proposal are still under way, saying "The MTA will continue to keep costs down, enhance service and adopt a fare/toll structure that has the least impact on the greatest number of customers."

The proposal will be voted on next Wednesday and if approved, would go into effect in March.

To see all the different fare and toll hike proposals that were submitted, click here.

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