MTA Proposes Fare Hike to $3 Amid Impending NYC Congestion Charge, Approval Pending

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has given the green light to a proposed financial blueprint that includes a potential increase in mass transit fares and tolls, potentially raising the base fare to $3 beginning in August 2025. Ahead of this development, the city is also set to implement congestion pricing starting January 5, 2025, with most commuters expecting to pay $9 to enter the congestion zone. This information comes directly from a statement obtained by ABC7 New York.

During the last board meeting of the year, MTA Chairman Janno Lieber reiterated that fare hikes are part of the MTA's standard operating procedure. "The pattern has been that the MTA's fares go up 2%. That is always programmed in the financial plan," Lieber told News 12. Commuters might feel the squeeze when the plan to increase fares and tolls by roughly 4% journey into effect.

The MTA's financial plan still requires official approval at a board meeting scheduled for March, and it is subject to review by Albany. In addition, Governor Hochul has the option to propose alternative funding, which could potentially prevent the fare increases. "Transit is one of the very few things that makes New York affordable. We love the fact that you can go from the Rockaways to the north Bronx on one fare, and it's a reasonable fare. We are trying to keep it that way," Janno Lieber said in a statement obtained by ABC7 New York.

Charlie Zhen, manager of community engagement at the MTA, emphasized the benefits of the upcoming congestion pricing plan to the city's commuters. "It's really important to connect to them the issue. When they're sitting in traffic, when they're looking for parking, it doesn't have to be this way. We have a solution," Zhen told News 12. The plan also involves a detail that could increase charges for drivers without E-Z Pass to $13.50 instead of $9, affecting the two percent of drivers who don't use the E-Z Pass system, as discussed and agreed upon in the meeting. The incentive to use E-ZPass was highlighted by MTA officials, as non-E-ZPass users could end up paying 50% more.

Adding another layer to the transit transformation within New York City, commuters seeking exemptions from the congestion fees—due to factors like lower income or disability—are being directed by the MTA to apply for these exemptions as early as possible through an E-ZPass account, according to News 12. Applications for those exemptions are already being encouraged.