By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveiled on Wednesday a new round of proposed fare hikes and layoffs designed to close a $900 million budget gap.
The new round of belt tightening is part of the single most aggressive cost-cutting program in the history of the MTA, said Jay Walder, chairman of the agency, at an MTA board meeting Wednesday afternoon. The new proposals follow a "doomsday" round of cuts that eliminated V and W subway service and several bus lines that went into effect at the end of last month.
In one scenario, the monthly unlimited would rise to $99 and have a 90-ride cap. In another, the monthly would cost $104, but there would be no cap. Under the plan, the basic subway and bus fare would remain at $2.25 but one-way paper tickets would cost $2.50.
The cost of a seven-day fare card could also rise to $28 for 22 trips or $29 for unlimited trips during that period.
The fare changes amount to a 7.5 percent increase across the board, a number that the MTA agreed to in a 2009 agreement with the State Legislature.
Board members were quick to point out that the legislature did not hold up its end of the bargain when it reallocated $134 million from MTA coffers into the general fund last year.
While the agency's crisis may have been caused in part by the legislature, it was still unfair to leave straphangers with the bill, said City Councilman James Vaca.
"The straphangers who are not responsible for this in any way have paid and will pay," Vaca said.
Riders aren’t the only ones who would have to pay to keep the transit system, which is facing a $900 million deficit, running without cuts.
The board voted to terminate 210 station agent posts Wednesday, and transit workers could have their wages tied to productivity unless they agree to rule changes covering the cost of raises, according to reports.
The transit worker union quickly responded to that part of the deal, with Local 100 President John Samuelsen asking Walder to make the same sacrifices as transit workers.
"I don't see you taking a pay cut," Samuelsen said. "Step up, take a pay cut."
Meanwhile, riders were already outraged about the plan.
“NYC MTA is going to hell on a silver platter with their service cuts & fare increase,” twitter user Roqt said.
The best way for riders to soften the blow of the fare hikes is to attend the upcoming hearings, said Gene Russiannoff with the Straphangers Campaign.
"There are a lot of people with ideas out there," Russiannoff said of alternative plans.
"It's more meaningful than doing your crossword puzzle to figure out what decision would best serve you," he said.
A series of public hearings on the proposals are scheduled to begin in September.
