MTA Mulls Another Fare Increase

The bleak economy could force the MTA to raise fares for the second year in a row -- if the city and state do not help fill a growing budget gap. MTA officials reportedly told a State Assembly hearing yesterday that the agency needs hundreds of millions of dollars in outside help to fill its budget deficit for 2009. That deficit has grown dramatically and could now be about $500 million. The MTA had previously proposed raising fares in 2010 -- in a series of regular, moderate fare increases. But the agency says it might have to raise fares sooner, and cut services, because it is legally required to have a balanced budget. The MTA earlier this year had proposed raising the $2 base MetroCard fare by 25 cents. The agency ended up raising fares on unlimited ride MetroCards and on commuter rails. It also raised bridge and tunnel tolls back in March.