New York MTA Board approves fare hike

Riders on New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) buses and subways will pay more beginning March 22, 2015, following an MTA Board of Directors decision on Thursday, Jan. 22, to increase fares.

The base fare on MTA New York City Transit subway service will rise from $2.50 to $2.75. A monthly MetroCard rises from $112 to $116.50. Weekly subway and bus MetroCards will cost $31, up from $30.

“I’ve recommended the fare and toll change options that are most favorable to our customers who use the services the most, our core constituency,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Tom Prendergast.

The MTA Board did decide to retain, and in fact increase, MetroCard bonus discounts. Riders at present obtain a 5% bonus for each $5 spend on a card; the bonus reportedly will increase to 11%.

MTA Metro-North and MTA Long Island Rail Road fares also will increase by 4%, as will bridge and tunnel E-ZPass tolls on MTA properties.