MTA Considers Increasing Fares, Tolls for 2017

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is considering two proposals that would raise fares and tolls system-wide by about 4 percent on average next year.

MTA board members are expected to vote on the proposals in January following a series of public meetings on the increases.

The first proposal would raise the base fare for subways and buses to $3 while increasing the bonus on pay-per-ride MetroCards from 11 percent to 16 percent. A second option would keep the base fare at $2.75 but reduce MetroCard bonuses to 5 percent.

Under both plans, a weekly MetroCard would rise to $32 and a monthly pass would cost $121.

The hikes are set to take effect on March 19.

MTA chairman Thomas Prendergast says the "modest" fare increases are needed to cover rising costs.