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New York City’s subway and bus fares have now risen to $3, marking a ten-cent jump since the last fare adjustment in 2023.
With this latest increase, the transit fare has climbed by 25 cents over the past six years, up from $2.75 in 2019, according to Gothamist.
The publication highlighted that “For years, the MTA has devised various strategies to avoid raising a single ride fare to a full $3, despite escalating costs and inflation.” Back in 2017, the agency maintained the fare at $2.75 but compensated by boosting the price of unlimited ride passes.
Additionally, in 2019, transit officials kept the fare steady at $2.75 and discontinued bonuses for MetroCard users who loaded cash onto their fare cards. Governor Kathy Hochul also deferred a planned increase to $2.90 after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The recent fare hike had been under consideration long before the election of openly socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, with the MTA board suggesting and approving a four percent fare increase every two years to cover rising operational expenses.
New Yorkers have voiced their displeasure, anticipating that fare hikes will continue as time goes on.
“I just know it’s gonna add up,” 23-year-old Mayan Crampton, who commutes to Manhattan from Hoboken, told the New York Post.
“It’s fucked,” said Phaedra Phaded, who commutes from Chinatown to Manhattan. “I don’t get paid enough for this. The hike is crazy.”
Another commuter, 41-year-old Seana Steele, said the MTA would be better served by adjusting the appropriation of funds.
“The MTA constantly misappropriates funds. Instead of installing new turnstiles, they could actually improve the service,” Steele said.
“They’re so concerned about people jumping the turnstile. If [rides] were more affordable and available to everyone, that wouldn’t be an issue,” Steele added.
