Transit labor leaders and advocates for bus and subway riders warn that the $2 city transit fare approved recently by the MTA may not last beyond 2004. They argue that escalating MTA debt service costs, spending on system expansion projects and a new labor contract will all come due in 2005, heavily pressuring transit finances.

The case is similar to that expressed here in January (MTR #399), which spelled out concern that MTA pronouncements about its budget made no mention of the period beyond 2004. One very worrisome implication of rising debt service costs and the city’s and state’s increasing abdication from supporting transit with revenues other than higher fares is whether fare increases will again become a common occurrence in the lives of straphangers. 

Four fare increases, 1980-1984:

* 1980: from 50˘ to 60˘

* 1981: from 60˘ to 75˘

* 1983: from 75˘ to 90˘

* 1984: from 90˘ to $1.00

Three fare increases, 1990-1995:

* 1990: from $1.00 to $1.15

* 1992: from $1.15 to $1.25

* 1995: from $1.25 to $1.50

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