MTA Raises Rates

Long Island Rail Road riders and other users of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority system (MTA) will have to reach deeper into their pockets with rate hikes coming down the tracks. Drivers aren’t off the hook either, with bridge and tunnel tolls also going up.

Scheduled to hit mid-August, the increases are expected to generate an additional $300 million in revenue, MTA officials said, which will help fund capital improvements and keep the system rolling. Had Gov. Kathy Hochul not budgeted $1 billion in state taxpayer dollars to the infamously voracious agency and increased the MTA tax on businesses, the hikes would have been worse.

"Because we took action, we were able to stabilize the agency financially and we're even increasing service," MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said. “We need this to be responsible,’ he said adding that the increased costs to riders would “not be without its downsides because anytime you’re asking people to pay a little more, you know that has consequences.”

Under the new rates, subway and bus fares will increase .51% from $2.75 to $2.90, the first increase since 2019 from an agency that routinely hikes fares every two years. The 7-Day Unlimited Ride pass will increase from $33 to $34, and the 30-Day Unlimited Ride pass will increase from $127 to $132. The Express Bus base fare will increase from $6.75 to $7, and the 7-Day Unlimited Express Bus Plus pass will increase from $62 to $64. Discount programs for students, seniors, and Paratransit customers will not change.

Trent ReevesMTA

The MTA will also hit users of its bridges and tunnels with a 6% hike. Those travelling without an EZ Pass will see rates go up 10%. The new tolls will affect the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

A two-way peak trip on the LIRR from the Ronkonkoma Station to Manhattan will go up to $41.87, a 6% increase.

“I really don’t know how much more they think they can squeeze out of us,” said LIRR commuter Brian Hellmer. “It’s obvious that the MTA is bloated with unnecessary costs, and instead of belt-tightening, they just keep hitting their users, especially their captive audience here on Long Island.”

“The cost to get on and off Long Island is outrageous,” said motorist Morris Skerrit. “It all adds up when you consider the fuel tax we have to pay, income tax, and all the other taxes and fees.”