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Fare Hikes For Metro-North Riders Proposed

WESTCHESTER, N.Y. – The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) is looking to increase fares and tolls to raise its revenue, the company announced in a press release. The proposals on the table include fare hikes for the Metro-North train system that would affect Westchester commuters.  

MTA chairperson and CEO Joseph Lhota said the fare and toll increases are necessary due to the increasing costs for “debt service, pensions, energy, paratransit and employee and retiree health care,” which the MTA does not control.

If the proposed hike is approved, a one-way peak ticket from White Plains, Scarsdale, Hartsdale, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley and Irvington to Grand Central Station would go from $10.50 to $11.25, an increase of 7.14 percent. A one-way off-peak ticket would go from $7.75 to $8.50, an increase of 9.68 percent. A monthly ticket would increase 8.73 percent, from $229 to $249.

The proposed increase would be even steeper for residents who commute from Mt. Kisco, Bedford Hills, Katonah, Cortlandt, Goldens Bridge and Peekskill. A one-way peak ticket from those communities to Grand Central Station would cost $14.50, an 8.77 percent increase from the current $14.25. A one-way off peak ticket would cost $11.75, a 9.30 percent increase from the current $10.75. A monthly ticket would cost $343, an 8.89 percent increase from the current $315.

Eight public hearings will be held between Nov. 7 and Nov. 15 starting at 5 p.m. and lasting until 9 p.m., the MTA said. The Westchester County public hearing will take place at the Riverfront Library Auditorium, One Larkin Center, Yonkers.

“The public will have significant input into our decision-making process. In the spirit of transparency, the public will assist in shaping our fare policy,” said Lhota. "These proposals have been designed to balance our need for revenue with public involvement. We need to hear from the public. Feedback evaluating the specific alternatives we’ve put forward is particularly useful, but we value all our customers’ input and we’ll consider changes to our proposals based on what we hear and read.”

You can register to speak between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the hearing or call (718) 521-3333 to register between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The MTA said the new fare and toll rates would go into effect on or about March 1, 2013.

For more detailed information on the Metro-North fare increases, including the monthly ticket difference and senior citizen/children prices, please see the attached PDF. 

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