The MTA is considering fare hikes — despite a $1.9 billion budget surplus — because the agency isn’t sure the cash will continue to flow.
“They are revenues that we aren’t sure we are going to repeat. Some big tax collections and things like that,” MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg said Saturday.
“We don’t think it’s prudent to take money that you don’t know is going to be there next year and use it for any purpose that is going to have to be recurring.”
The agency plans to jack up fares by 7.5 percent in 2015 and 2017. “Reducing the size of planned fares and toll hikes must also be considered,” urged Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
A new “substation” power hub at the Harrison station will now offer commuters 20 percent of the number of trains the line normally provides.
MTA chairman Thomas Prendergast also announced on Saturday that Metro-North commuters left stranded due to a train power outage will get more service, starting on Saturday afternoon.