Straphangers will finally get a peek at the MTA’s plans for 2013 fare hikes next month, when at least four competing proposals will be unveiled to the public, sources said.
The final plan has not been determined, but the different proposals will likely all feature significant reductions of the pay-per-ride MetroCard discount, which knocks 7 percent off every $10 purchase.
The greater the reduction to that discount, the less of an impact it will have on the subway base-fare rate, according to the sources.
Once those fare and toll hikes are revealed, the public will have a chance to sound off on them at meetings in November.
The hikes go into effect in March.
Transit officials yesterday shot down reports that they are contemplating raising the base bus and subway fare from $2.25 to $2.50.
“The numbers being put forth in The Daily News are pure speculation,” said MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz.
Chairman Joseph Lhota told The Post they are still crunching the numbers.
“This is getting played out before the parameters are put on the table. No decisions have been made,” he said. “We’re still at the analysis.”
The MTA needs the fare hikes to raise at least $450 million for the upcoming year to plug its budget.
The pain will be spread out across the Long Island Rail Road, MetroNorth, buses, subways and bridges and tunnels.
As The Post reported yesterday, the MTA might have to hike fares even higher than planned if its unions do not agree to accept zero pay raises or an equal amount of givebacks.
Sixty-four of the agency’s 65 unions are currently operating without a contract, a potential $50 million hole in the agency’s budget.
Non-unionized MTA employees are in their fourth year without a contract.