STATEMENT BY SENATOR MARTIN J. GOLDEN ON MTA FARE/TOLL HIKES

The MTA has characterized its proposed increases as the lowest since 2009, and seems to be saying to the public that we should be happy with their proposal.

I disagree. The MTA has come forward with the idea that fares should be increased every two years, as of right. Fare and toll increases should be justified. We need to be sure that fare increases are needed. Many New Yorkers are on fixed incomes, and having automatic fare increases every two years hurts them the most. I am especially concerned about the increase in Access-A-Ride proposed in Plan B. While a 50 cents per round trip increase does not sound like a big deal, for seniors and others who regularly use the service, his can create a hardship.

Even “modest” toll and fare increases add up. Many Brooklyn residents use the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to travel to work or school each day. EZ-pass users will be paying $114 more each year and those without EZ-passes will pay at least $250 more each year. While some New Yorkers are doing better financially, many of us are still hard pressed to make ends meet.

While the MTA has done some good things, like introducing the Select Bus Service, the extension of the Flushing line to 34^th Street and 11^th Avenue, and the coming (and long awaited) opening of the Second Avenue subway, New Yorkers cannot afford an increase in tolls and fares at this time.