MTA votes against fare hike; single rides remain $2.75 for subways and buses

The MTAvoted Wednesdayto maintain the base fare of New York City subway and bus rides at$2.75.

The decision came after a late push by members of the board and outgoing chairman Tom Prendergast in considerationof the burden a fare hike wouldplace on low-income New Yorkers.

The board decided to maintain the current $2.75 fare,but drop the bonus savings on multi-ride MetroCard purchases from 11 percent to 5 percent.

Since November, the board had been deciding between keeping the $2.75 fare with a lower bonus and raising the base fare to $3. That option would have also increased the bonus multi-ride MetroCard purchases to 16 percent.

At a final public comment meeting this morning, just before the decision was made, Prendergast, along with several board members, transit advocates and members of the public had expressed their preference for maintaining the the current fare.