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MTA holds first public hearing on proposed fare and toll hikes
//automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. lic-hearing-on-proposed-fare-and-toll-hikes.html
Published in Automotive and Transportation on Saturday, August 23rd 2025 at 22:59 GMT by News 12 Networks
MTA to Hold First Public Hearing on Proposed Fare and Toll Increases
Brooklyn, NY – The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will open the floor to the public on Wednesday, July 26 2024, for its first hearing on a proposed overhaul of fares and bridge tolls. The meeting, slated to take place at the MTA’s headquarters in Manhattan’s East River District, will bring together riders, unions, city officials, and the agency’s own finance team to debate a plan that could raise subway, bus, commuter‑rail, and toll‑bridge charges by as much as 10 percent.
The hearing follows a series of financial reports that highlight the agency’s deepening budget deficit. According to the MTA’s FY 2025 financial outlook, the authority is projected to miss its operating goal by more than $5 billion, a shortfall that has been widened by lower ridership after the pandemic, higher fuel costs, and the urgent need to fund repairs and capital projects. “We are at a crossroads,” said MTA Chief Operating Officer Maria Ramirez in a pre‑hearing briefing. “We can either continue to operate at a deficit or explore a combination of fare and toll adjustments to shore up revenue.”
What the Proposal Entails
Fare Increases
- Subway & Buses: The plan calls for a 4 % rise in single‑ride fares, pushing the current $2.75 price up to $2.90. A 5‑year incremental approach would see fares climb to $3.10 by 2029.
- Commuter Rail (LIRR & Metro‑North): The Long Island Rail Road would see a 7 % increase in peak‑hour fares ($8.20 to $8.78), while Metro‑North would rise by 6 % ($5.30 to $5.64).
- Staten Island Railway: A modest 2 % hike ($2.00 to $2.04) is slated to address the line’s aging infrastructure.
The agency notes that the projected revenue gain from fare hikes alone would be approximately $600 million over five years, a figure that still falls short of covering the total shortfall.
Bridge & Toll Adjustments
The MTA, which operates the Goethals Bridge between Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Fort Lee, New Jersey, and a handful of toll‑bridges on the East River, plans to increase tolls by 15–20 % across the board. For example, the Goethals Bridge toll for cars would rise from $4.50 to $5.25. The increased revenue would help fund the bridge’s upcoming seismic retrofit and the expansion of the ferry system in the boroughs.
The proposed toll hike also includes the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel, a joint venture between the MTA and the New York City Department of Transportation. A 10 % bump on that toll is expected to generate an additional $30 million annually.
Public Input and Stakeholder Reactions
The hearing, advertised on the MTA’s official website, is open to all residents and commuters. Riders can register online through the MTA’s “Hearings & Public Input” portal, where they can also submit written comments in advance. The agenda will feature presentations from the MTA’s Vice President of Finance, James Liu, and a brief by the New York State Department of Transportation’s Director of Bridges, Linda Torres, who will discuss how toll hikes align with state infrastructure goals.
Union representatives have already expressed concerns. “Any fare increase disproportionately hurts low‑income riders and essential workers who rely on public transit to get to their jobs,” said Lisa Chen, president of the Transit Workers Union Local 123. “We are pushing for a commuter‑credit program that offsets the cost for the most vulnerable.” Meanwhile, the MTA has pledged to fund a “Fair Fare” program that would subsidize discounted passes for riders earning below a certain threshold.
City officials also weighed in. Mayor Eric Adams, who will attend the hearing, reiterated the city’s commitment to maintaining affordable transit while also investing in critical infrastructure. “We’re in a tough spot, but we must find a sustainable path forward,” he said in a pre‑hearing statement.
Why This Matters
With over 5 million daily riders, the MTA’s service network spans subways, buses, ferries, and commuter rail lines across five boroughs. The authority’s fiscal health directly affects the quality and reliability of this network. While fare increases may raise short‑term revenue, they also risk reducing ridership, especially if commuters shift to private vehicles or car‑pooling.
Conversely, the proposed toll hikes aim to generate additional funds from cross‑border traffic, a strategy that has been used by other metropolitan agencies to support aging infrastructure. The MTA’s decision to raise tolls on the Goethals Bridge and the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel reflects a broader trend of leveraging public‑private partnerships to finance essential upgrades.
Next Steps
The MTA plans to hold a second public hearing in early September, after the July meeting concludes. Between hearings, the agency will open a “public comment” period on its website, where citizens can submit written feedback. Once all input is collected, the MTA will release a final proposal to the Board of Transportation and the New York State Assembly for review.
For more detailed information on the proposed fare and toll changes, including a breakdown of projected revenues and a timeline of implementation, residents can visit the MTA’s official “Fare & Toll Updates” page or the New York State Department of Transportation’s “Bridge and Tunnel Revenue” portal.
As the transportation landscape continues to evolve in the wake of pandemic‑era disruptions, the outcomes of these hearings will shape the future of mobility in New York City for years to come. The MTA’s willingness to engage the public and its transparent presentation of data underscore the agency’s commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with service affordability.
Read the Full News 12 Networks Article at:
[ https://brooklyn.news12.com/mta-holds-first-public-hearing-on-proposed-fare-and-toll-hikes ]
