After the first of its two legally mandated public hearings Monday night, it now appears almost certain that the MTA will move ahead with fare hikes this January. MTA chairman Jay Walder said he didn’t see how it would be possible to avoid the increase in fares for bus, subway and commuter fares.
“I don’t think that’s really the choice we have right now… we’re dealing with a financial situation that I believe is going to require a fare increase,” he said on his way into the hearing, held at Cooper Union.
The Daily News quotes two attendees at the hearing who expressed their dismay: one woman reportedly shouted, “People have gotten hip to the fact that these hearings are a sham” (though we’re having trouble imagining someone shouting that particular phrase) and an 80-year-old woman named Margaret Wade complained, “It will limit my ability to go anywhere. I just can’t afford it.” We feel you, Margaret.
January MTA fare hikes become almost certain, provoking public outrage at hearing [NYDN]
