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There seems to be 4 options on the table with differeing impacts depending on how you use the Subways and Buses.
Which do you prefer? (I know they all suck but we will get stuck with one of them)
Assuming we all use Metrocards and put more than $10 on at a time (and thus get a tiny "bonus",) current is $2.10 per ride and $104 per month...for a break-even point of 50 rides.
Option 1A will raise the real base cost to $2.34 (an 11% increase) and a 30 day pass for $112 (an 8% increase break-even falls to 48 rides.)
Option 1B eliminates the bonus so rides will cost $2.50 each (a whopping 19% increase...Jesus) but the 30 day card will go to 109 (a 5% increase...bringing the break-even to 44 rides)
Option 2A has individual rides effectively go to $2.14 (a low 2% increase but $125 for a monthly ( a huge 20% increase with a break even all the way up to 59 rides, probably effectively killing the 30 day pass)
Option 2B again no bonus and a $2.25 ride (up 7%) and a $119 monthly (up 14% and a break even of 53 rides.)
Which of these options do you hate least?
Personally, I like the conveniece of 30 day cards, even if I occasionally screw myself out of a couple bucks a month, so I think option 1B is best for me and mine, even the 7 day pass gets more attractive. If they go for 2A I won't ever buy a 30 day card...and work harder to get more of my XFER OK's.
I think ultimately they will go with option 1B. That would suck for me, because I don't use the subway often enough to justify a 30 day card -- even with a price hike to $2.50. However, since most area commuters buy the 30 day card keeping that price lower has more of a political benefit. If the monthly went up to $125, I think there would heads on pikes.
I constantly use subways/buses so the 30 day pass is best for me, leading to 1B being preferable.
Remember at one point they were discussing "commuter" monthly passes? So only good for M-F? Not good for me since I use it on the weekends but some people would prefer that.
I never buy 30-day cards, so from a strictly selfish perspective, I should want 2A. Out of a feeling of generosity to my fellow New Yorkers, I'll support 2B as a good compromise.
A monthly generally isn't worth it to me...I commute via subway to/from work (10 trips/week, 40/month). Even if the fare was raised to $2.50, that's only $100. The unlimited is nice to have (a co-worker had some extras from a Transit-Chek type program that he sold me for $50 each) but ultimately I wouldn't buy one for full price.
I could live with 1B...I'd only have to take 4 extra trips a month to break even.
Now if only the MTA could figure out a way to refill a card online.
I think 1B is going to be the way that the wind will blow, because it's only a $5 increase on the monthly. A monthly Metro Card is of little use to me, but I know that it is a lifeline for many, hence why I would support 1B.
However, I agree with LizfromtheBronx that we need an online/auto replenishment system as an option, not to remove the card machines. I would also like a key fob transponder option that works like the EZ Pass and auto debits from a replenishment that is stored at whatever interval the user chooses. It would simplify the need to use a card machine or get one from a newsstand if you do not use the system regularly. And, for a monthly commuter/weekly express bus user, it would be much easier to refill.
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They are not doing any of these preferred options. They will do 1A (assuming they don't revise everything to take into account Sandy recovery spending). Lhota floated a trial balloon pooh-poohing the need for any discount- when he got shouted down, that threw out the possibility of those two options (1B 2B).
Since 2A does the ridiculous by raising the break-even to 59, the only alternative is 1A: 30-day to 112, base fare to $2.50, 7% discount retained, break-even is 48-49.
They were never going to those options where the break-even goes into the 50s- the current level of 49 already constitutes the highest since the 30-day was introduced in 1998. Knocking more people off 30-days serves only to lengthen lines at machines.
I'm glad I don't have to obsess over the cost of a subway ride.
In a few months I hope never to set foot in that hole in the ground again!
Whatever option, its cheaper than not riding the subway, soooo....
Doesn't it annoy you all that in 18 months or so, there'll be a new round of increase proposals, and then again 18 months or so after that???
Personally, I hate this piecemealing, just up the fair a buck a ride or whatever and that's it!! No need to bother the public for the next 5 to 10 years or so.
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