N.Y. MTA raises fares, reduces service

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board today approved a series of resolutions that will allow the MTA to move forward with fare increases of 25 percent to 30 percent and service reductions that will affect customers throughout its service area. These actions were required to implement the balanced budget passed by the Board in December, which closed an approximately $1.2 billion deficit.

"...today, as we make a very difficult and distasteful set of decisions, we are doing so strengthened in the knowledge that no less than the future of the MTA and the region is at stake," said Elliot G. Sander, MTA Executive Director and CEO.

The fare and toll increases will be effective on the following dates:

• New York City Transit, MTA Bus and Long Island Bus (subway, buses and Staten Island Railway): May 31
• Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad: June 1
• MTA Bridges and Tunnels facilities: July 11

Service reductions will be phased in beginning in May. The full details of the fare increase and service changes are available at http://mta.info/mta/09/.