The Chair of the MTA’s Finance committee and close adviser to Governor Cuomo, Larry Schwartz, says he doesn't want any fare hikes this year.
The agency postponed the biannual fare increase at the beginning of the year, citing the ongoing hardship from the pandemic.
With subway ridership still less than half of what it was compared to 2019, he says a fare hike won’t bring riders back quicker.
Schwartz says the state should work with the next mayor and city council to find a new way to fund the agency without relying on regular fare hikes.
Congestion pricing, which was supposed to generate billions for the MTA, remains stalled as the agency is still in talks with federal officials.