NYC And The MTA Fares

The use of public transportation in New York City is vital for a lot of people. That is what gets them to the places they need to go to. Like work, school, doctor’s appointments, etc. But throughout the years there have been some changes to the fare prices. Which has ultimately led to some debates on what’s causing these increases in prices and the consequences that follow that action. Though some may argue that the cost of living is what has led to the MTA fare increase, the fact of the matter is the MTA’s lack of practical systems, mismanagement of funds, and unethical practices of management is what truly led to such problems that are now affecting NYC residents, specifically the people that come from low income households.  

The MTA raises its fare prices when it shouldn’t especially given the current situation of their system. The ineffective systems used by the organization is one of the major contributing factors to the MTA fare increases. In a blog post titled “New York Hates Transparency”, Alon Levy highlights the key factors behind the unlikable factors of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and all of the things people have to say about it. Starting off with the fact that New York City “clings to its way of doing things in face of obvious evidence that this way does not work; when it wants to do something different, it privatizes the state to consultants and huge design-build contractors, which has consistently raised costs wherever it is implemented.” (Levy).  Meaning that no actual thought process is behind whatever plan is being followed through or processed. There is no true leadership to actually change and make the community better for the people. Rather it being more about how much money one can actually get out of the people in the city for projects and purposes that shouldn’t or wouldn’t even cost as much money if only they had better organization. Which is actually one of the key points in Levy’s statement on his blog. The management isn’t authentic or reliable. Claiming that New York should learn how to run its systems if it wants to “avoid looking ridiculous” and actually gain good recognition for all the bright things that they have done for the city with the MTA.  

New Yorkers are affected by the lack of effective systems. Without any effective systems people see no change. Instead, they just see how their what was supposed to be a cost effective way of getting to places, turns into an expensive way to commute. The economy is already at a state in which low-income families already find it difficult enough to pay their bills and for all of their necessities. Now they have to add even more money to spend on their daily commutes. Over the last three years the MTA fare prices have risen from $2.75-$2.90, and starting 2026 it’ll be $3.00. For just two singular rides in one day, that’s $6.00 down from your wallet. 

The organization however doesn’t seem to take into account that proper management on funding is actually a very fundamental part that allows the city to run smoothly. The MTA lacks proper management of their funds, and people are still obligated to pay what’s expected of them. Which is exactly what Philip Mark Plotch argues in his blog “Beware the Alternatives” claiming that New York City is actually underfunded and that without the proper funds, no actual change in the way the system is set up could actually occur. Plotch also provides possible solutions to resolving the issues of the MTA system. One of them being about cutting pension expenses saying that the MTA “spends about $1.3 billion on pensions to its former employees” while the MTA actually only collects $4.7 billion in fares (Plotch). But at the end of the day, even with the amazing attempts at resolving the fare pricing. It still doesn’t change the fact that the news outlets are constantly reporting on deaths in the subway stations. The numbers only keep on increasing as the days go by. 

There has been a variety of debate among New York residents about the increase in prices. There were even claims that money wasn’t being used for the actual organization it was supposed to help. Based on the Associated press reports, the government isn’t fair or just in any sense, claiming that the “William C. Thompson Jr. alleged that the MTA concealed more than $500 million in surplus funds in budget reports and exaggerated operating expenses to justify an increase in bus and subway fares this year.” (Times Herald-Record). If the government is able to have organizations get away with such things then who’s to say that they’re looking out for the best interest of the people of New York. Not everyone is loaded with money. Not everyone has the luxury to spend as much money as they want. Many people are living paycheck to paycheck. The government has been a fraud since the beginning. They find ways to make the rich richer and at the end of the day the ones that end up paying the consequences are those of the lower class. 

There have been many times in which the city and its residents have encountered unethical practices of management. There are people however who think that even through the messed up system and corruption of the MTA, it is still actually possible to see the good in it. That regardless of the management system of the MTA, changing it won’t make any difference for the better. In the end, MTA’s fare increases actually reflect a problem that’s more widespread and deeper than just how much one pays to ride the MTA. It opens up the door to the city’s lack of leadership, transparency, and financial responsibility that have shaped New York City’s public transportation system for decades. Solely focusing on the sources and reports mentioned. There is a constant involved and that is the people of New York are being asked to carry the consequences of mismanagement, underfunding, and political negligence. Ranging from overcrowded platforms and outdated equipment to unreliable service and questionable financial decisions, the MTA has demonstrated that they aren’t capable of providing the level of quality and safety that New Yorkers demand and deserve, and instead they continue to raise the fares while giving nothing to the people in return. 

People like Alon Levy and Philip Mark Plotch emphasize that the issues stem from the lack of not knowing how to properly deal with organizational issues. Levy mentions the city’s unwillingness to break away from tactics that don’t bring any positive results. Plotch on the other hand states that actual change cannot happen without resolving the underlying issue, which is money and being knowledgeable on the reality of pensions, budgeting, and planning for the future of the city. It all leads back to the increases in fares occurring in the MTA, and how it  should not be discussed in a matter of whether the people can actually withstand having to give up more money per ride. It should be about having transparency, responsible budgeting, and leadership that actually puts the needs of the people on their priority list. Top of their priority list if possible, and if and when our current issues are talked about and a solution to all problems is reached, there will be no solution or amount of fare increases that will truly fix what is broken. New Yorkers deserve better without having to put something or someone at risk, and the future of the city depends on knowing and doing what’s best for the community at the moment.

Works cited:  Levy, Alon. “New York’s MTA Hates Transparency.” Pedestrian Observations, 27  2023, pedestrianobservations.com/2023/03/27/new-yorks-mta-hates-transparency/. 

Plotch, Philip Mark. “Hate the MTA? Beware the Alternatives.” Vital City, 2 Oct. 2024, www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/hate-the-mta-beware-the-alternatives.

“New York Transit Logo.” Fity, fity.club/lists/suggestions/new-york-transit-logo/. 

“Comptrollers Say MTA Hid $500 Million Surplus.” Times Herald-Record, 24 Apr. 2003, www.recordonline.com/story/news/2003/04/24/comptrollers-say-mta-hid-500/51160407007/.