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'L.I. COMMUTERS FACE FARE HIKES'

 
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Mr. Linsky
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee



Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Posts: 5071
Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 4:25 pm    Post subject: 'L.I. COMMUTERS FACE FARE HIKES' Reply with quote

MTA: LI Commuters Face $3.50 Bus Fare, 26% LIRR Hikes

BY ALFONSO A. CASTILLO
December 30, 2008 Newsday

Without a bailout from state lawmakers, Long Island Bus customers will pay a hefty $3.50 for a single ride next year, MTA officials confirmed as they released specific figures yesterday on their proposed "doomsday budget" fare hikes.

The hikes include increases averaging around 26 percent for riders on Long Island Rail Road.

The MTA Board earlier this month adopted its 2009 operating budget, which seeks an overall 23 percent increase in fare revenue to help fill a huge $1.2 billion deficit next year. MTA officials have attributed the 75 percent fare increase on Long Island Bus to Nassau County's failure to meet its contractual obligations to help fund the agency. Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi has disputed that the county has any obligation to subsidize the bus system.

"It's putting even more pressure on the people who could least afford it," Kate Slevin, executive director of the nonprofit Tri-State Transportation Campaign, said of the proposed bus fare increases.

The fare hikes won't take effect until March, giving state lawmakers the opportunity to enact the recommendations of the governor-appointed Ravitch Commission. The hikes and widespread service cuts could be avoided by creating new revenue streams for the MTA, including tolls on East River crossings and a new payroll tax, according to the commission.

The commission also recommended that the MTA take over full control of Long Island Bus as part of a new "regional bus authority" that could also include bus systems in Suffolk and Westchester.

The MTA supports the move as "a way of rationalizing and improving bus service to that region," spokesman Jeremy Soffin said yesterday.

MTA officials yesterday also explained two different proposals for fare increases on city buses and subways. Under one proposal, the base fare for a ride would be $2.50 - up from the current $2 - but riders would continue to save 15 percent on every seven rides purchased.

Under a second plan, the base fare would be $2.25, but customers would not get the "bonus" rides. The latter plan would also make fares $3 for customers buying single rides in cash. Officials said the move would discourage city bus riders from slowing down buses as they scramble for change.

In another move to discourage onboard transactions, the differential for LIRR riders buying their ticket on trains will increase by $1.

LIRR fares will go up from 24 percent to 29 percent, depending on the trip. MTA officials said the numbers fluctuate in order to keep fares at round numbers. LIRR City-Tickets will go up 75 cents and family fares 25 cents.

Gerry Bringmann, chairman of the LIRR Commuters Council, called the increases a "complete disaster" for low- and middle-income commuters.

"We're going to have to cut back on other things to afford our ride," he said. "Pity the first or second year teacher who commutes from Long Island."

Riders will have the opportunity to weigh in on the increases at a number of upcoming hearings, including at the Garden City Hotel in Garden City on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY
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d.marra



Age: 90
Joined: 23 Jun 2008
Posts: 16

PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mr Linsky. Did you notice where the MTA is having the public hearing?

"Riders will have the opportunity to weigh in on the increases at a number of upcoming hearings, including at the Garden City Hotel in Garden City on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m."

Let's see if I read this correctly?

Well planned "BULLDINKY" by the MTA!!! Hold the public hearing in one of the most expensive hotel's on Long Island, in a place where the nearest Bus Route N-40 is 6 blocks away.
MTA "We will raise your fare to $3.50, and We don't care how we spend it."

Mr. Schenck Evil or Very Mad
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Mr. Linsky
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee



Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Posts: 5071
Location: BRENTWOOD, CA. - WOODMERE, N.Y.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You got it!

Mr. 'L'
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S-60 To Smith Haven Mall




Joined: 29 Nov 2007
Posts: 1757
Location: Suffolk County, NY

PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

when are ppl going to get it that the commission asked for the right for the MTA to talk to other bus systems about a take over.

and that Suffolk is owned by the county and wouldn't give up their system.
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LLE Rebel




Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 54

PostPosted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Able Ride people went bananas at the Fare Increase hearing... they are facing a 100% hike in fares from $3.50 to $7.00
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