Subway, Bus Ticket Prices Rise After MTA Vote

Commuters in Rockland County will have to shell out a little more for MTA bus, subway and train rides come March 2013.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted Wednesday to increase the one-time fare for bus and subway rides from $2.25 to $2.50.

New upticks will also drive the price of an unlimited, week-long pass to $30 from $29, and the price of an unlimited, month-long pass to $112 from $104.

The increases will fund the organization's required $450 million in annual revenue, officials said.

Commuters who refill their Metrocards will also see a dip in the bonus they recieve—the gratis money will fall from seven-percent to five-percent, Bloomberg Businessweek reports. Tickets prices for Metro-North railroad will also rise about nine-percent.

Tolls on MTA bridges like the RFK will increase as a result of the vote, as well.

Tolls on the Tappan Zee Bridge—which is not an MTA property—remain at $5, but may jump to as high as $14 in coming years to finance the new Hudson span.

The decision comes on the heels of MTA officials mulling over four possible price change options that were hashed out over a series of public meetings. The three other options, which will not be implemented, can be read here.