Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases

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Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Gold_12th on Sun Oct 24 15:33:13 2010 edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Westchester bus riders will pay MTA increases Westchester Bee-Line bus riders will pay the same fare increases as passengers of New York City subways and buses after all. The local buses accept the same MetroCards that New York City transit riders use. But when the Metropolitan Transportation Authority chose this month to raise its fares — boosting the cost of a monthly MetroCard to $104 from $89, for instance — Westchester County transportation officials considered setting their own prices. On Friday, however, the county transportation department told the MTA it would join with the increases, which start Dec. 30. Part of the issue was whether the county could charge fares different from the MTA's and still use the cards. An MTA spokesman said the county was allowed to set its own fees, although it would have to make arrangements to account for the price differences when riders transfer from the city system to the county's. But on Friday, Westchester Director of Surface Transportation Richard Stiller said the MTA had told him that, practically, it could not be done. Stiller said he was told by the MTA department that handles the MetroCards that there was no room left in the programming for the cards' magnetic strips to include the needed codes for varying fares on the monthly and weekly cards. The explanation jibes with what former Westchester Transportation Commissioner Larry Salley said repeatedly when the MTA raised fares last year, that the county was not able to choose its own fares for MetroCards. MTA officials told Westchester they needed to know what the county had decided on the matter by Friday, said acting Transportation Commissioner John Hsu. For riders such as Jonathan Cosmo of Ossining, the added $15 a month is a burden. "I don't know how they expect us to pay it," said the 19-year-old, waiting for a bus at the White Plains depot. He rides the Bee-Line to work and said of the increase: "I think it's a horrible idea." Others said it would not be a problem. "It's not really a big difference in my case," said Darnell Rainey, 18, of Port Chester who takes buses to Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry. Hsu said he understood that the higher fares would be unpopular with some, but that governments needed to strike a "fine balancing act" among priorities in tight times. He expects state aid — $43 million this year — to decrease next year, for instance. "It's a trade-off," he said Friday after a county Transportation Board meeting in Mount Vernon. "No one wants to increase taxes, no one wants to decrease service, no one wants to increase fares. But the reality is, someone's got to pay for it." Hsu said the department does not expect the ridership to drop because of the increased fares. The new fares also will push up the cost of a seven-day MetroCard to $29 from $27. The $2.25 cost of a single ride, however, will stay the same. "Well, that's a blessing," said Yonkers paralegal Katherine Perry, 46, who takes the buses a couple of times a week, paying individually for each ride. Leaving the MetroCard system, which the county joined in April, 2007, was not a serious option. That would force the 40 percent of passengers who transfer between the county and New York City to pay twice, costing them much more than the fare increases, Hsu said. As Stiller put it: "It would be going backward." Source: http://www.lohud.com/article/20101024/NEWS01/10240382/-1/newsfront/Westchester-bus-riders-will-pay-MTA-increases
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(211251)	view threaded
Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by R40slantontheB* on Sun Oct 24 18:36:20 2010, in response to Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by Gold_12th on Sun Oct 24 15:33:13 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d And yet Nassau County could care less and would force riders on the N4,6,20,21,22,22A,and 24 to pay twice, under it's privitization plan. Why couldn't have Nassau at least looked at having a system like Bee-Line? Oh, that's right, Nassau doesn't want to pay for its buses!
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(211253)	view threaded
Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by hound* on Sun Oct 24 18:41:56 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by R40slantontheB on Sun Oct 24 18:36:20 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Let's not forget the N1,31,32 & 33.
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(211255)	view threaded
Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by R40slantontheB* on Sun Oct 24 18:48:08 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by hound on Sun Oct 24 18:41:56 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d That too! You're talking the majority of LIB riders here. Mangano's plan would probably cause a 75% ridership decrease.
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(211290)	view threaded
Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by JAzumah* on Mon Oct 25 01:35:10 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by R40slantontheB on Sun Oct 24 18:36:20 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The Bee-Line is foolish for not maintaining a two fare zone. The NYCDOT learned the hard way when ridership soared, but revenue barely increased. It led to overcrowded buses and irregular service. The notion that someone can travel from Far Rockaway to the Westchester Medical Center for $2.25 is ridiculous.
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(211293)	view threaded
Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by TheGreatOne2k9* on Mon Oct 25 05:14:03 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 01:35:10 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The Bee-Line is foolish for not maintaining a two fare zone The Bee Line would be foolish to go back to a two fare zone. They even said it would be taking a step backwards. Nassau had broken the fare barrier in 1998, Westchester has had to suffer paying a double fare for years. Pataki even increased Bee Line's funding for this to happen The NYCDOT learned the hard way when ridership soared, but revenue barely increased. It led to overcrowded buses and irregular service. NYCDOT kept the fares the same even after the MTA fare hike. MTA was 2.00, DOT was 1.50 Metrocard, 1.00 off peak (with cash). One could pay either 1.50 or 1.00 and get a free transfer to an NYCT Bus. For those using Metrocard, an extra 0.50 was deducted when transferring to a subway. So on off peak it was cheaper to ride an all bus trip in one direction (1.00 Q60 to M15) than using the subway to Manhattan (2.00 regular, 1.67 MC discount). Even peak one would still pay less (1.50 vs 1.67 or 2.00) Bee Line doesn't want to do this (they could have kept the Metrocard fares at 2.00 and had 0.25 deducted at the subways, all bus transfers would be free.) I heard that Mastercard Paypass allows one to transfer from PATH to certain buses like the M14 and M23 for free. The notion that someone can travel from Far Rockaway to the Westchester Medical Center for $2.25 is ridiculous. No, that is what we call taking a step forward. In any case that trip can only be done on the weekdays on one fare. The 1C is weekdays only (usually with a 60 minute headway) and the 40,41, and 43 barely run to/from 241 St outside the rush hours (after 5:30pm there are only two scattered trips to 241 St Subway from WCMC). Not everyone is going that far, and you can't penalize the reverse commuters who need to get to work.
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(211298)	view threaded
Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Railman718* on Mon Oct 25 07:54:19 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 01:35:10 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The notion that someone can travel from Far Rockaway to the Westchester Medical Center for $2.25 is ridiculous. No its not...
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by JAzumah* on Mon Oct 25 08:50:06 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by TheGreatOne2k9 on Mon Oct 25 05:14:03 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The Bee Line would be foolish to go back to a two fare zone. They even said it would be taking a step backwards. Nassau had broken the fare barrier in 1998, Westchester has had to suffer paying a double fare for years. Pataki even increased Bee Line's funding for this to happen Pataki and Cuomo loaded up the MTA with debt during this time period. Peter was robbed to pay Paul. Peter filed a police report, but the cops never came. This wasn't new money, just juggled money. A fiscal step forward is always decried as a step backwards by government. Policies like this lead to large fare spikes down the road.
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by JAzumah* on Mon Oct 25 08:52:48 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by Railman718 on Mon Oct 25 07:54:19 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Yes it is. Unless the transit union wants to kick in a few dollars. This is why smaller cities don't want to touch transit. They find that the costs get out of control QUICKLY.
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Terrapin Station* on Mon Oct 25 09:23:40 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 01:35:10 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d The notion that someone can travel from Far Rockaway to the Westchester Medical Center for $2.25 is ridiculous. I agree. Unless people are generally OK with their taxes going to cover the resulting high subsidies, longer trips should cost more. Take Pride, Terrapin Station Now featuring the RailfanWindow.com Blog!
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by N6 Limited* on Mon Oct 25 13:27:02 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by Terrapin Station on Mon Oct 25 09:23:40 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d I mean, they will be running those same trains and buses anyway, why should it cost more? The TO/CO and BO, still have to do their round trip runs.
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Osmosis Jones* on Mon Oct 25 15:26:43 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 08:52:48 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d This is why smaller cities don't want to touch transit. They find that the costs get out of control QUICKLY. That's why transit in Newburgh is so sporadic.
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Scrabbleship* on Mon Oct 25 16:14:49 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by Osmosis Jones on Mon Oct 25 15:26:43 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d But did Newburgh ever have viable transit to begin with?
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by The Flxible Neofan* on Mon Oct 25 16:21:50 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 01:35:10 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Why must it always come down to either having free transfers or paying two full fares? A reasonable zone charge that isn't the cost of base fare when crossing the "border" should be sufficient, or is that too complicated with the Metrocard system?
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(211360)	view threaded
Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by JAzumah* on Mon Oct 25 16:44:21 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by The Flxible Neofan on Mon Oct 25 16:21:50 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d A step up charge is doable, but a double fare is not the end of the world.
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Railman718* on Mon Oct 25 18:25:36 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 08:52:48 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Yes it is. Unless the transit union wants to kick in a few dollars. Right spoken like a True Owner.. Oh Wait Mr Bias i forgot......
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Railman718* on Mon Oct 25 18:26:44 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 08:52:48 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Yes it is. Unless the transit union wants to kick in a few dollars. Right spoken like a True Owner.. Oh Wait Mr Bias i forgot......
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Osmosis Jones* on Mon Oct 25 18:31:24 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by Scrabbleship on Mon Oct 25 16:14:49 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Not for a city with the same income statistics as Bushwick and Flatbush. Only the park-and-ride on Route 17K near the New York Thruway and Union Avenue gets decent service, but that's useless for those within the city of Newburgh that can't necessarily afford to drive on a regular basis.
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by JAzumah* on Mon Oct 25 19:02:55 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by Railman718 on Mon Oct 25 18:25:36 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d I am very biased. That is an accurate statement. You cannot maintain fares well below the cost of operation and compensation well above private sector counterparts without heavy subsidies. The only purpose that doing this furthers is the concentration of services in public sector hands. I can assure you that the top 20 banks will not pay any taxes in 2011. They pay about 20% of the income taxes in NYC. Who is going to subsidize that fare?
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Terrapin Station* on Mon Oct 25 20:35:20 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by N6 Limited on Mon Oct 25 13:27:02 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Because it is multiple employees for the multiple seat trip yet multiple fares are not bring charged.
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Terrapin Station* on Mon Oct 25 20:35:27 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by N6 Limited on Mon Oct 25 13:27:02 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Because it is multiple employees for the multiple seat trip yet multiple fares are not being charged.
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(211434)	view threaded
Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Dekatyou* on Tue Oct 26 01:45:19 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 16:44:21 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d I think MTA start thinking re-designing Metro card. It is now used for 3 systems, MTA subway/bus, Westchester Beeline, PATH and Airtrain JFK. Too many for simple fare card. Westchester must do "in-necessary" fare hike because of technical difficulty of current Metro card.
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(211445)	view threaded
Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Mr RT* on Tue Oct 26 07:50:57 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by TheGreatOne2k9 on Mon Oct 25 05:14:03 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d "... I heard that Mastercard Paypass allows one to transfer from PATH to certain buses like the M14 and M23 for free ..." The PayPass pilot expaned from a Lex Ave subway thing to include some Express buses out of the Bronx & a bunch of cross town local buses, including M23 & M14 with connection to PATH. Also there are some NJT local routes included.
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(211446)	view threaded
Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Mr RT* on Tue Oct 26 07:54:38 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 08:52:48 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Way back in the early 1900s you could trasfer between trolley lines over long distances, e.g. NY to Washington, BUT hardely anybody did it because it took some much longer then the steam train. I've taken the subway from Flushing to Long Island via Far Rockaway & LI Bus at Long Beach, but it took hours vs. LIRR 45 min.
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by The Flxible Neofan* on Tue Oct 26 09:16:26 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 16:44:21 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d Double fare may not end the world, but it would be detrimental to the ridership and unity of the transit systems in the area. Definitely would discourage transferring and would encourage users to try and park and ride at outlying subway stations.
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Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases
Posted by Hank Eisenstein* on Tue Oct 26 13:53:04 2010, in response to Re: Bee Line bus riders will pay MTA fare increases, posted by JAzumah on Mon Oct 25 08:50:06 2010.* edf40wrjww2msgDetailB:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d That's the history of government funding of EVERYTHING.
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