Res 0536-2015

By Council Members Espinal, Chin, Constantinides, Gentile, Johnson, Mendez, Rose and Ulrich Whereas, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has issued two proposals for achieving a 4 percent increase in its fares and tolls in 2015; and Whereas, One proposal would raise the base subway and bus fare from $2.50 to $2.75 while the other would eliminate the Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard bonus; and Whereas, Both proposals would be a significant burden for low- and middle-income New Yorkers already struggling to make ends meet; and Whereas, According to latest data available from the New York City Center for Economic Opportunity, 45.6 percent of New Yorkers live in or near poverty; and Whereas, New York City is suffering from a widely acknowledged income inequality and affordability crisis, particularly with regard to the cost of housing; and Whereas, The vast majority of working Americans have not experienced the benefits of the economic recovery, as modest wage gains have barely kept up with inflation or the rising costs of many services, such as education and health care; and Whereas, The base subway and bus fare has risen over 65 percent since 2003 and New Yorkers have faced fare hikes repeatedly in recent years, including in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2013; and Whereas, Many New Yorkers who rely on the subway and bus system to get to work and school and to go about their daily lives would struggle to afford another fare increase; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority not to raise subway and bus fares in 2015. LS# 3403 12/12/2014 JM