LONG ISLAND, NY — If the MTA has its way, Long Island Rail Road commuters are going to dig deeper into their wallets to ride the rails.
The estimated hike looks like this: On average, monthly and weekly riders will see a 4.3% hike. A one-way peak ride would jump by 4.6%, the MTA announced.
The fare hike, which also would hit city buses, could be in place by Labor Day.
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However, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) sent a letter to the MTA and LIRR president wanting them to rethink the boost in fares.
Low ridership is one reason the LIRR is calling for the increase. Another is due to an uptick in fare evaders.
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“The law-abiding citizens have to pay the price for those who are just treating our city and our country like they can just take whatever they want,” D’Esposito told Patch.
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The congressman, a former NYPD detective, said the MTA should lobby Governor Hochul and legislators in Albany “to create a safer riding experience and not give people the ability to evade fares.”
The timing of the MTA’s pricing proposal, ahead of the Memorial Day Weekend, has kept feedback from his constituents to a minimum.
D’Esposito said the fare increases, also likely for the subway and East River crossings, will get the “rubber stamp,” although he encourages straphangers to still contact their elected officials. The MTA board will vote on it in July.
“This is not the Long Island that we moved here for,” he said. “And it’s not the Long Island that we deserve.”
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