By Michael Oleaga / m.oleaga@latinospost.com (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Dec 20, 2012 11:29 AM EST
Tags MTA, New York City, nyc mayor 2013

Price hikes are in order for straphangers in New York City (NYC).

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has unanimously agreed and approved fare and toll increases that'll go in effect in 2013.

The proposal for the fare hikes was planned in October and has since been amended following the public to provide comments and responses.

According to the MTA, the increase was envisioned back in July, therefore Superstorm Sandy is not a reason for the fare hikes. Superstorm Sandy caused $268 million in lost revenue and damages and will cause a debt of $62 million for the MTA.

The fare hikes will go in effect on or around March 1, 2013.

The 30-day MetroCard will increase to $112, up from the current $104.

The base fare of $2.25 will increase to $2.50, while purchasing a single-ride only MetroCard will start at $2.75.

However, the MTA will provide incentives for buyers buying a $5 MetroCard, currently the bonus discounts take place for the $10 MetroCards. The discounts, though, will be decreased to five percent from the current seven percent.

In addition to the fare hike, the MTA will charge people an additional dollar for a new MetroCard, hoping customers will keep and re-load their current MetroCards intead.

The MTA noted, "There will be no charge to refill an existing MetroCard, or to transfer a balance from an expired MetroCard onto a new one, and customers will be able to purchase pay-per-ride value and unlimited ride passes on the same MetroCard."

Express buses' current price is $5.50, but it will increase to $6.

Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North customers will also experience an increase with increases ranging between 8.19-percent to 9.31-percent pending on time of day, distance, peak times, and type of ticket purchased.

Following the announcement of the fare hikes, MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Office Joseph Lhota announced he will resign from all MTA positions on Dec. 31.

Lhota's decision to resign has been widely speculated for a potential mayoral candidate for NYC.

"Joe Lhota announced his resignation the day before the Lhota fare hike gets voted on," said Josh Isay, the chief political consultant for Christine C. Quinn, the City Council speaker, told the New York Times. "He may think he's pulled a fast one, but voters are too smart for that."

MTA Board member and Vice-Chairman Fernando Ferrer will temporarily succeed Lhota.

Some reaction on Twitter went as follows, noting the timing might have been off:

© 2015 Latinos Post. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.