Fare Hike Fury

Anyone who's ever been to New York City knows the transit system is its soul. Every day, the city's subways and buses move millions, and is in fact the way a majority of people get around. That's why so many people, from elected officials to riders to transit advocates, slam the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's proposal to raise fares next year.

Yes, tolls for drivers over bridges and tunnels would also go up, So would fares for suburban commuters. Yet it's the subway and bus system that draws the most attention. As well it should. If enacted, an increase next year would only be the second time in the history of the system fares went up in consecutive years. The MTA says the hikes are needed because it faces a $900 million dollar deficit next year. Never mind that just six months ago, the deficit was estimated at just over $200 million.

On top of that, delays on subways just rose 24% in a one year period. Not a great way to introduce the need for more money from straphangers. Already, the governor, mayor and Assembly speaker have lined up publicly against raising fares. Don't think for a minute, however, that the increase is doomed. The MTA must balance its budget. If the fare doesn't go up, the alternatives are bleak. Mayor Bloomberg may be right when he says any business with a $10 billion dollar budget that can cut 5% is guilty of poor management.

That's never stopped a fare increase before.