The Suffolk County legislature approved a resolution last week that directs Suffolk Bus to prepare for an across-the-board 25-cent fare hike to $1.75. The resolution instructs transit officials to hold public hearings as soon as possible and authorizes the increase immediately afterwards. Suffolk Bus is one of many transit systems statewide buffeted by a scale-back in annual state operating aid (MTR #337). 

According to the NY Public Transit Association (NYPTA), Suffolk Bus will receive 28% less state aid than expected in 2002 . Nassau's Long Island Bus and Westchester 's Bee Line also face significant deficits, as do bus systems in Ithaca, Syracuse, Albany, Utica, and Rochester. Suffolk Bus and Albany's Capital District Transportation Authority are the first to officially announce a fare increase, but a NYPTA "Impact Survey" projects that more price hikes and service reductions are on the way. In particular, the survey estimates that Long Island Bus will be forced to reduce or eliminate 23% of its fixed route service without restored state and county aid.

Suburban transit has often served as a financial bellwether for urban transit systems. In 1991, LI Bus and Suffolk Bus were first to increase fares to $1.50, a move copied by NYCTransit in 1995. Last week, NYCTransit pledged not to raise transit fares despite the $530 million operating cost to the agency from the attack on the World Trade Center and a $255 million operating deficit. The agency hopes to make up the funds either through refinancing its debt or through state or federal disaster aid.

More Signs of NY State's Transit Crisis (Nov., 2001)

Bleak Season for NY Transit Systems (Oct., 2001)

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