Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Is NYC's subway about to get more expensive?
I was in New York recently, where there is talk that the MTA is considering raising the city's subway fare from $2.00 to $2.50 per ride.Why? The New York Times recently reported that the state of New York is trying to work out a bailout of the MTA, which is saddled with a $1.2 billion deficit. Failing to do that, the MTA says it plans to raise fares and toll revenue in 2009 some 23 percent to close that budget gap, along with making what the Times describes as "deep cuts in service."
That means a jump in single-ride fares, and the cost of a 30-day MetroCard could increase to $104 by late next spring.
Obviously tourists are more inclined to be impacted by the simple single fare increase, even though $2.50 still seems like a pretty good deal for such a massive subway network. Sure, New York's subway system is rundown, dirty and generally disgusting, but it does get you to pretty much anywhere you want to go in one of the world's largest city.
I think of Berlin, where I live: Also a big city, with an amazingly extensive and efficient subway system. But single-ride fares there are nearly $3.00. Then again, I'd happily pay that in New York if they'd clean the subway up and figure out some way to let passengers known when they can expect the next train.
Top 10 stupidest laws you could encounter on the road
Filed under: North America, United States, Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
john at voyagers.typepad.com Dec 22nd 2008 10:47AM
Ahahaha. As an ex-Londoner and a New Yorker by birth, with London's ridiculously priced Tube, I pine for the simplicity and the absolute bargain that is the NYC Subway. Oh, and it runs all night, too.
--John at http://voyagers.typepad.com
teenagertc Dec 22nd 2008 12:48PM
As a New Yorker, I didn't even imagine tourists being affected by the fare hike. I've always seen them buy daily, or weekly unlimited cards (unfortunately, the fare on those are increasing as well). The MTA is horribly mismanaged, and a few years ago, they were caught with two sets of books, one that they showed to the public, and another that they kept private. If anything needs to be redone, it's the administration of the MTA. Then we would see a more efficient subway!
George William Gockel Dec 26th 2008 6:51PM
When I was in New York City on vacations. I never rode a subway in New York City. I am from Los Angeles,CA. sometimes I ride the Metro Rail in L.A. Los Angeles' Metro Rail are like New York City's subways.
slopchute Dec 26th 2008 7:19PM
New Yorkers love to pay through the nose.
Like Massachusetts they love their high taxes and toll roads. They insure themselves of being screwed by re-electing Democrats.
Caroline Kennedy will probably be their next Senator which goes to show that are also stupid. Sheep were born to be sheared.
divabrighton Dec 26th 2008 7:31PM
Sweet jesus...don't you have any other input than to still be bitter over the fact that as a country, we've obviously had enough of it being run into the dirt on a daily basis by "conservatives" that are only conservative when it comes to losing their money? They have NO issue taking someone else's, or sending someone else's kid to war, but they better not lose a damn thing.
Maybe we did insure ourselves to be screwed by electing a Democrat, but it's going to be better than the screwing we've been getting for the last 8 years.
Grow up and stop being a sore loser. Or get the hell out. We're all tired of hearing you crybabies!
Our new president isn't even in office yet, and you have all blamed him for damn near everything that's happened since he decided to run for the office. In case you haven't heard, good ol boy GW is still calling the shots, and still doing his piss-poor job of it. But...only 25 days and counting til that jackass is gone back home where he belongs. He NEVER belonged in the White House, but, money talks. And buys elections...
Slopchute Dec 26th 2008 11:03PM
Typical liberal Democrat. You should thank God, (oops that's right you Obamaniacs don't believe in God) for George Bush. He saved your asses from another attack in New York but not to worry, the Messiah from Chicago will save you, yeah.
Obama is nothing but a Chicago hustler who learned at the feet of Reverend, "God Damn America" Wright. President elect Hussein doesn't salute the American flag, what an asshole.
The terrorists are smiling and can't wait for Jan 20 when America surrenders. Hope your President is successful in closing down Guantanamo.
Tom Dec 26th 2008 7:42PM
There is going to be a whole hell of a lot of stores closing. Then the commercial real estate collapse. Then credit cards will no longer be. We will be in the greatest economic depression known to man. The Govt. buy printing more and more money will make money valueless. Inflation will be rampant and way out of control. Along with no hope of getting out of this hole because our Govt. is in such great debt to the banks that they bailed out, instead of letting them go under. The US Constitution gives the right to the Govt. to be the bank of this nation and not have to pay interest to any privately owned Federal Reserve Banks. But the Govt. sold us out a long time ago and enslaved our children to these powers.
dud Dec 26th 2008 9:17PM
NY is so busy giving the NY Yankees and their owners tax breaks they don't care about little people. Pathetic NY
John Dec 26th 2008 9:31PM
I can remember when they went to subway tokens at $.15 each. Started jumping the turnstiles then. I think that some of the same trains are running.
John Dec 26th 2008 9:36PM
I hear they are going to charge a $5 toll on the Brooklyn and Queensboro bridges.
Scott Dec 27th 2008 12:04AM
Tappan Zee Bridge is going up to $5 in January.
Lucy Grasso Dec 26th 2008 10:08PM
I remember when NYC subways was $.15 tokens and the train where dark and dirty but it got you where you wanted to go....if you could handle yourself.....it has not changed much ....but the price of $2.50 that is $5.00 a day to go to work and come back is a little to much to handle....and the MTA has always cried for more money but if you want to live in NYC you have to pay the price.....its a city that never sleeps and the trains keep running all hours of the day or night so you could just add the money the MTA makes but never wants to clean up the system, it needs a good cleaning...people of NYC stand up and fight for this one???????
OneMixDJ Dec 27th 2008 1:01AM
You know Lucy, as a native New Yorker, I can only hope that New Yorkers do stand up to this. I hope they also stand up to the new taxes that Gov. Patterson is proposing to non-diet soda. It's unbelievable the ways they think up to get more money out of the people. I think the people of New York need to put their foot down, but I don't think it's going to happen. I hope I'm proven wrong though. :(
midge Dec 26th 2008 10:10PM
why would Mr. White think the increase is gonna impact tourists more than the daily workers who have 2 pay 2-times per day? as a native NYker who can admit the system is dirty, the increase is worth it cuz the system gets u 2 all 4-boroughs & the ferry 4 S.I. It's one of the oldest systems in the country & no one city's can compare w/it no matter how clean cuz they either don't stay open 24/7 or they COST MORE! 2 bad they can't get their Republican mayor Bloomberg 2 give some of his millions 2 close the deficit then there wouldn't b a deficit problem!
Billy Dec 26th 2008 11:43PM
I went to Washington D.C. last October and I will say one thing, the ticket machines are from the birth of the Industrial Era. But every train and platform had carpets!!! Carpets!!!!!
Kent Dec 27th 2008 2:15AM
$2.50 is a bargain. MTA appears to have subsidized New Yorkers with a $2.00 fare before. Besides, the increase isn't going to break their pocketbook.
Gavin Dec 27th 2008 9:50AM
You can keep the the dirty, smelly stinky, piss breath subway. Do you really think that is going to happen. They find a different excuse to raise the price everytime, and I moved out of New York Aug 6. I have lived on Long Island and worked in Manhattan for a total of 45 years. School tax what, I m sick of it. This what I say, sqadouse......Does anyone want to buy a house in Long Beach 4-family. Its going to be 70 tomorrow and I want to play golf.
David Dec 27th 2008 2:47AM
HA,HA,HA. Too funny. Enjoy your spiraling cost of living NY'ers. Where is the city going to come up with the 100's of millions they pledged to the Yankers when they came crying poor mouth for new stadium money. The Steinbrenner family must be laughing their asses off at the way the city has to pay to support them while they spend a half billion on 3 new players. I hope NY'ers taxes are quadrupled. They will be. Stinking cess pool of a city.