MTA Hearing on Fare Adjustments Draws Criticism

MTA chair Janno Lieber attempted to downplay the impending fare hikes during a public hearing. He appeared relaxed, chewing gum and fidgeting as audience members voiced their concerns about the plan.

“Welcome to our second MTA hearing on proposed fare adjustments,” Lieber announced at the start of the session, which is one of three scheduled this week. The new fare of $3 is set to begin in January.

More than twenty commuters voiced their frustrations—some in person and others through video—about the upcoming 10-cent increase in subway and bus fares.

“It might seem like a trivial increase, but it really adds up,” said Hannah Reid, a resident of Bed-Stuy, who only found out about the hearing the night before.

Reid continued, expressing skepticism at the panel’s discussions around accessibility and affordability. “It’s quite amusing when they talk about price hikes,” she remarked, referencing the Metropolitan Transit Authority officials present, including Chief Customer Officer Shanifa Raila and CFO Jay Patel.

“Why should New Yorkers bear extra costs when many are already struggling?” Reid questioned.

Artist Camila Sims, under her stage name Julie, echoed similar sentiments, accusing the panel of being out of touch. “Some of you don’t even live in the city,” she said. “You don’t understand what working-class people go through.”

Lieber seemed unbothered by Sims’ remarks, even chuckling while chewing gum.

“You can laugh all you want,” she responded, “but this is serious.”

After the hearing, Sims expressed her belief that MTA officials were indifferent to the struggles of everyday New Yorkers, especially given that some officials, like Reeber, earn significant salaries.

“They care more about their own bureaucratic interests than helping the public,” she said.

The atmosphere during the nearly two-hour hearing grew increasingly tense. At one point, student Emmanuel Rafael shared his frustration, recalling needing to choose between lunch and subway rides home. When he called the panel “fascist dogs,” the moderator warned him to tone it down.

“You’re just vultures,” Rafael accused. “It’s absurd to think this is the right time to raise fares.”

MTA officials insisted that the fare hikes would lead to improved services, but audience members largely disagreed with the hikes.

Queens high school students, many representing their families, protested against the increases as well. Weihong Chen voiced concerns that struggling parents would find it hard to cover the additional costs.

“This could add up to over $50 a month,” Chen noted. “It doesn’t sound like much, but every dollar counts when you’re budgeting for groceries and bills.”

If the MTA committee approves the fare increases as anticipated, subway and bus rides will reach $3 by January 4, 2026. Additionally, fares for Long Island Railroad and Metro North will rise by 4.4% for various ticket types.

Deborah Graef, chair of the Brooklyn Family Support Advisory Council, shared her concerns, stating simply, “I’m poor, and $3 fares will make budgeting even harder.”