Metrocard 6.6% Increase and Proposed Rail Hike

Unlimited Metrocards may increase from $76.00 to $81.00 to put a further squeeze on outer borough/tri-state commuters and most commuter rail fares would increase 3.76 to 4.25 percent according to an article in today's New York Times. The $5.00 increase on the Unlimited Monthly Metrocard isn't going to break the bank for most if not all Dashing Dans and Dotties. It will help keep the base fare at $2.00, which is vital for working class New Yorkers who can't afford the unlimited monthly card. Looking at January 2008, with two holidays (New Year's Day and Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday), the average cost per ride for a Monday-Friday commuter would be $1.93 if the increase went into effect January 1st. This assumes a round trip on the subway to the commuter bus/rail hub on a weekday. Of course, the more you use the card the lower the cost per trip. It's still a decent value.

Unlike the Metrocard increase, the proposed rail increase is regressive and will force more people to drive into the city who are on the cusp of being able to afford taking the LIRR today. They will either need to get into car pools and/or drive and park in Queens. This will add more traffic at earlier hours on the LIE and Grand Central, which are already over-burdened with traffic. It will also add more pollutants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

The MTA-LIRR is a self-serving organization that lacks creativity and flexibility. LIRR rests on its laurels because it touts itself as the "largest commuter railroad in the country" and doesn't see the need for real improvement. Unfortunately, this organization is prone to ever-increasing costs without any clear revenue stream to support it.