MTA unveils proposals for upcoming fare hike

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The MTA has released details Monday about the next fare hike coming down the rails. If the hike is approved as expected, it would be the fourth increase in five years.

The agency is looking at four options, which could be chopped up and recombined. The only thing that is certain is that a fare hike is coming.

The proposals could raise the base subway and bus fare by a quarter, from $2.25 to $2.50. Other options are to hike the cost of monthly and weekly passes. The unlimited card that now goes for $104 dollars could jump to $109 or even as high as $125.

Whatever the MTA decides, there will be public hearings on the plan next month, and a final vote on the plan in December. The hike is expected to take effect next March.

All told, the MTA aims to generate $394 million next year from its fares and its bridge and tunnel tolls.

"Costs that the MTA does not exercise control over, namely those for debt service, pensions, energy, paratransit, and employee and retiree health care, continue to increase beyond the rate of inflation," MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph Lhota said. "We are grappling with long-term measures to reduce these frustrating and difficult non-discretionary expenses, but today, they are the drivers of the need for a fare and toll increase."

CLICK HERE for the full details of each proposed fare and toll increase, broken down by each MTA service

Here is a schedule of the public hearings the MTA will hold:

Wednesday, November 7