Statement From Speaker Silver
Regarding Proposed MTA Fare Hike

I strongly object to the fare hike proposed by the MTA for next year. New Yorkers are facing higher prices for food, electricity and many other necessities and transit fares just went up a few months ago. We simply cannot afford another increase.

The Assembly Majority advanced a plan earlier this year to have the wealthiest New Yorkers - those who earn $1 million or more a year - pay slightly higher income taxes. Our plan would have raised $1.5 billion a year, to be dedicated to transit and transportation projects.

Given the MTA's uneven record on providing financial information to the public, I am also calling on the State Comptroller to do a comprehensive audit of the MTA, to identify possible ways that the agency could cut costs and determine if this fare increase is truly necessary.