Once again, the MTA, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has attempted to increase fares. On the morning of December 19, 2007 at 9:30 A.M., a meeting was held by the MTA board to decide the approval of this year’s proposed fare hike as well as a plan to divert $56 million from the operating budget to cover costs overrun on a construction project.

The proposal of this year’s fare hike had already been approved by both Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Eliot Spitzer when the meeting was held.

During the meeting, dozens of protesters crowded into the meeting room with signs being held in protest of the MTA hike. Eventually, the voting result of 12 to 2 had determined to approve this year’s proposal.

Initially, the MTA had decided to raise the base fare to $2.25, as NYC had expected. According to Spitzer, the base subway-bus fare will remain at the current $2 for two years. The MTA had decided to move ahead with Spitzer’s request in the bonus reduction and unlimited MetroCard hike and keep the base fare the same.

The plan includes an increase in several areas. The LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) fares will be pushed from 3.76% to 4.25%. For instance, the current price of $267 for a monthly ticket between Ronkonkoma and Penn Station will now be increased to $278.

The 30-day unlimited use MetroCard will be increased by $5 from the current $76 to $81 and seven-day MetroCards will now cost $25, a $1 increase. The plan also creates a 14-day unlimited card for $47.

As the MTA had intended as per an agreement with Governor Spitzer, the multiple-ride MetroCard bonus will reduce from the current 20% to 15%. The minimum purchase in receiving this bonus, however, will drop from $10 to $7. The bonus reduction leaves an uneven leftover value in the MetroCard, where MTA officials acknowledge that could leave riders who buy, for example, a $10 MetroCard, be left over with an awkward $1.50 after the use of five rides.

Currently, $10 buys a $12 MetroCard, giving an extra ride, and $20 buys a $24 MetroCard, giving extra rides, and so forth. The new bonus system, which will be in effect starting on March 2, 2008, would have a $7 purchase buying an $8.05 card and a $10 purchase buying an $11.50 card. In order for the bonus to add up to a full ride increment, the minimum purchase is $40. This will most likely force many riders to discard their cards without using the bonus change, which could bring in significant extra profits for the MTA.

Councilman Robert Jackson urges riders not to dispose the MetroCards containing the extra bonus change, but rather to add more value to them. Riders should continuously recharge a single card instead of buying a new card every time the maximum number of rides is used. “If you are watching how you spend your money because you cannot afford to waste it, then you’re going to be an educated consumer,” he said.

Increases take place not only in the multiple ride metro cards, but also on bridges and toll booths. Staten Island’s Verrazano Bridge will see a jump from $9 to $10. The EZ Pass tolls for cars will increase by 3.8% and for cash-paying drivers, the charge will increase by 25 or 50 cents.

The fare hikes are scheduled to be in effect starting in March. Fares on LIRR and Metro-North will increase March 1, with new subway and bus fares kicking in on March 2. Tolls on MTA bridges and tunnels will increase later in the month on March 16.

It is expected that this fare hike will generate about $163 million and raise the MTA revenue by 3.58%. This fare hike incited strong opinions among city residents, the MTA, and government officials over whether the proposal was too large or even necessary.

“We hope that city and state legislators will help secure additional funding so that we can make further improvements to the system,” said a NYC Transit statement.

“Nobody likes to pay more, but if you want a service, you’re going to have to pay for it,” said Bloomberg after the vote. “It’s the right thing to do.”