MTA Fare Hike

 

With the MTA cost increase now in effect, commuter’s demands for the system’s faster schedule and up-to-date improvements will also take place. Subway and bus fares have risen by a quarter, making it $2.75 along with an increase in the cost of a 30-Day MetroCard by $4.50.

It has become routine for fare hikes to occur every two years for newer and improved service plans. According to a New York Times article the subway system has seen record use weighing in with more than six million riders on some days. Americans used more buses, trains, and subways beginning in 2013 than in any year since 1956. The service is supposedly always improving, the economy is circulating, and of course tourists are always on the go. People would rather drive less and rely more on walking, cycling, and public transit because these are in fact high-quality options according to Mr. Litman a source from the New York Times. New York City for example has invested in transit along with many other urban areas. Through the expansion of systems and improving services there surfaces a great shift for public transportation.

Although transit is exceedingly growing more useful and popular, the price increase is not a change commuters are fond of. Jaeda Blair, a senior drama student at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts explains how the hike is not something she’s looking forward to. On weekends when she doesn’t have the ability to use her student MetroCard she may not have the extra change to pay for the fares.

“I always have somewhere to go, and in a case like this students may feel like, ‘I have no way of getting home because I have no extra money,’” says Jaeda.

As seniors are getting ready to decide on their college choice they have to consider their means of transportation. Whether that means living on campus, where one may only have a five minute walk to class or one with a more lengthy train commute. All of this must be taken in to account without relying on student MetroCards for the easy accessible mode of transport.

Emily Rosenberg, a senior instrumental student at FSSA is not planning on staying in the New York area for college, however she plans on coming back to visit. When she’s here, she wants to see change on the subways.

“If they’re charging me more I expect them to be more reliable, cleaner, people less rude I think, and just for the roads to be better,” says Emily.

As New York City residents we all want our money’s worth as well as to feel comfortable and at ease when riding on MTA transit.

– by Claudia Messina ’15