NEW YORK — The subway token – and the $1.50 fare that goes with it – could soon be history, according to the New York Daily News.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (news – externalweb site) said yesterday that it will hold 10 hearings nextmonth on proposed fare and toll hikes, as well as a plan toshutter scores of token booths – a prelude to the end of thetoken.
Tokens would be scrapped sometime after the fare hikes gointo effect, MTA spokesman Tom Kelly said yesterday.Subway and bus fares could be raised to as much as $2 byApril at the earliest.
“A small percentage of our customers currently use tokens,”Kelly said. “And this [eliminating tokens] will enable us tomake the system more efficient and cost-effective.”
The token’s swan song as a symbol of the city and its transitsystem is being sung as riders in increasing numbers areusing MetroCards, which provide discounts.
The percentage of bus and subway rides paid with tokens fell below 9% in October for the first time, officials noted.
Still, some riders offered arguments – both sentimental and practical – for keeping tokens.
“I think it’s a dumb move,” Barry Gregory, 39, of Queens, said of plans to zap tokens. “Tokens are part of New York. And, besides, MetroCards don’t always work.”
A more pressing concern for many straphangers and drivers was MTA proposals to raise bus, subway and commuter rail fares, and boost tolls on its bridges and tunnels.
Revised plans
Yesterday, officials released a slightly revised version of the increases on tap:
Local buses, subways, paratransit vans and Staten Island Railway fares could rise by as much as 50 cents, to $2.
Unlimited-ride MetroCards could go up by as much as 33%, boosting a $17 weekly card to about $22 and a $63 monthly card to $84. Single-day Fun Passes could jump to $7 from $4.
Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North fares could increase by as much as 33%.
Bridge and tunnel tolls could rise as much as 50 cents.
One-way express bus fares could jump to $4, a $1 increase. The $120 unlimited-ride monthly Express Bus Plus MetroCard could be replaced with a weekly card costing up to $35.
There still would be discounts for MetroCards, E-ZPasses and commuter rail passes, Kelly said.
Under some of the plans, fares and tolls would increase by lesser amounts. But anything short of a $2 subway and bus fare would require widespread service cuts, officials have said.
Budget deficits
Some riders said they don’t welcome paying more for their trips – especially in these tough economic times.
“I’m a poor student, so anything more I have to pay would be a bad thing,” said Katie Davidson, 23, a college student and Manhattan film editor.
But the MTA contends fare and tolls increases are necessary to help fill a projected a $1.1 billion deficit this year and a $1.7 billion gap next year.
Transit officials said increased costs and an expected decline in tax revenues dedicated to transportation are fueling the deficit.
In addition, a tentative contract with the Transit Authority’s bus and subway union calls for a $1,000 lump-sum payment for workers during the first year of the three-year pact, 3% pay raises in each of the following two years and improved health benefits.
Gene Russianoff, staff attorney with the Straphangers Campaign, said he hoped large turnouts at the upcoming public hearings could derail what seems to be an inevitable $2 bus and subway fare.
“I think it’s tough, but the fate of the $1.50 fare is in the hands of the riding public,” he said. “Transit is political. My view is a 50-cent fare hike is a huge dent in riders’ pockets. If that’s what mayor, governor and state Legislature hear, they’ll figure out a way to stop a $2 fare.”
Adding your two cents’ worth
The MTA has scheduled the following hearings on its proposed fare and toll increases and subway station booth closings:
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 4 p.m. Beacon High School, 101 Matteawan Road, Beacon, N.Y.
Wednesday Feb. 5, 4 p.m. Roosevelt Hotel, Junior Ballroom, Madison Ave. at 45th St., Manhattan
Thursday, Feb. 6, 4 p.m. New York City College of Technology, Klitgord Auditorium, 300 Jay St., Brooklyn
Monday, Feb. 10, 4 p.m. Hofstra University, Student Center Multi-purpose Room, 200 Hofstra University, Hempstead, L.I.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 4 p.m. Stony Brook University, Student Activities Center Ballroom, Stony Brook, L.I.
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 4 p.m. Susan Wagner High School, 1200 Manor Road, S.I.
Thursday, Feb. 13, 4 p.m. Westchester County Center, The Little Theatre, 198 Central Ave., White Plains, N.Y.
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m. Bronx County Building, Rotunda, 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m. Queens Borough Hall, Central Jury Room, 120-55 Queens Blvd., Kew Gardens
Thursday, Feb. 20, 4 p.m. Palisades Mall Adler Community Room, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack, N.Y.
Registration to speak will be open until 8 p.m. on the hearing dates. For more information, or to register, call (212) 878-7483. Or comment on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Web site, www.mta.info Originally published on January 14, 2003