New York, NY —

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved fare increases on unlimited Metro Cards in a 12-to-2 vote, with the daily fare of $2 staying the same.

REPORTER: Beginning in March, a weekly card will cost $25, which is a one dollar increase, and a monthly card, will increase $5 to $81. Board member Jeffery Kay, who voted for the increase, says the agency cannot rely on the state for all of its funding.

KAY: Within the next 2 months we're going to be debating and submitting to Albany the request for a capitol plan as high as 28-billion dollars from what I hear. It could be higher is could be lower, I don't know. That is a significant amount to ask of Albany.

REPORTER: The fare increases are to help pay for ongoing maintenance and upgrades to the system like the building of the second avenue subway and extending the number 7 line.

Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Spitzer have both given their blessings to the increase though vocal critics were urging the authority to delay action until later next year.