Larkin Fears Governor Left Door Open For Future MTA Fare Hikes On Hudson Valley Residents

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) today said that Governor Spitzer still has not taken any action to prevent fare increases for Metro North and LIRR riders and most subway riders and has done nothing to stop bridge and tunnel toll hikes.

"Recent news reports confirm our worst fears that Hudson Valley commuters could still face MTA fare hikes," said Senator Larkin. "Anyone who looks at the plan can see that the Governor has not done enough to hold the line on the base fare for other groups of commuters coming from areas such as the Hudson Valley. By only freezing MTA subway fares, Governor Spitzer is again catering mostly to New York City residents. He has made no effort to stop the MTA’s plans to impose an unnecessary and unaffordable fare increase on commuter rail tickets and the city's bridge and tunnel tolls."

Larkin added, "MTA leaders have made it clear they intend to hike fares for already overburdened commuters even though the MTA will end this year with a surplus of almost one billion dollars. That’s one Billion dollars. A vote on the fare increase could come next month and Governor Spitzer, who acted swiftly to protect a small percentage of subway riders, is doing nothing to stop it.

"We will continue to pressure Governor Spitzer to show the same concern for suburban commuters that he does for New York City subway riders and stop the MTA fare hike immediately.

"Help me fight the MTA fare hikes by calling the Governor’s office at (518) 474-8390; or by writing to him at: Governor Eliot Spitzer, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224, or by sending email through the Governor’s office website at: www.ny.gov/governor, and deliver our message to Governor Spitzer that enough is enough. He must move to stop the MTA fare hikes now."