stand clear of the closing doors

$1.9 Billion Budget Surplus Can’t Save You From MTA Fare Hikes

NEW YORK - JUNE 18: A subway conductor looks out his window June 18, 2003 in New York City. A new report by the New York Police Department (NYPD) reports that felonies are down 15 percent this year on New York’s subways. The NYPD credits an increase in officers at subway stations for part of the drop in crime on trains and stations. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Photo: Spencer Platt/2003 Getty Images

When state auditors found an unanticipated $1.9 billion surplus in the MTA’s budget, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli suggested the authority “consider reexamining the scheduled increases in fares in tolls.” But the authority is not sure it can replicate that surplus, so it’s not ready to take fare increases off the table, a spokesman told the New York Post: “They are revenues that we aren’t sure we are going to repeat. Some big tax collections and things like that.” So for now, at least, expect those 2015 and 2017 increases to happen as scheduled.

MTA Plans Fare Hikes Despite Budget Surplus