MTA commuters pleaded with officials against a fare and toll increase during a virtual public hearing this week. They said this is not the time to hike up prices.
The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North commuter railroad riders said it would be unacceptable to raise fares 4% during a pandemic.
New York state Senator Todd Kaminsky of Long Island told MTA officials that the LIRR has only a quarter of its pre-coronavirus ridership, and the MTA should be finding ways to encourage customers to safely return.
The MTA projects a $16 billion deficit through 2024 from pandemic-related ridership and revenue losses. Officials said it may have to resort to deep service cuts and mass layoffs without federal government financial help.
