The MTA board is expected to approve drastic fare increases and service cuts at their meeting today, sources told The Post.
And an informal poll of board members showed strong support for the publicly unpopular plan.
“I’ll cast a ‘yes’ vote because there’s no alternative,” said board member Mitchell Pally, who voted against the last fare increases in 2007.
At a committee hearing on Monday, board member Andrew Saul also said he would vote for the budget “reluctantly,” due to the possible impact on straphangers.
The Post was able to confirm seven “yes” votes and one “no” vote. That means that just one of the six remaining votes would be needed to pass.
MTA officials said in November that a 23 percent increase in income at the fare box and canceling some subway and bus routes was the only way it could close a $1.2 billion budget gap.
The “draconian” plan, as MTA CEO Elliot Sander called it, would include eliminating the Z and W lines, shortening the G and M lines, and increasing passenger wait times.
The fare hike could increase a single ride to $2.50, and an unlimited 30-day MetroCard to $104, according to a report by the city Independent Budget Office.
“I do not believe that we need to go ahead with this process until the legislators, the governor, and the mayor have all had the opportunity to come up with alternatives, other than what the Ravitch Report has come out with,” said board member Norman Seabrook.
The Ravitch Report is the MTA bailout plan authored by Richard Ravitch, a former agency chairman. He has called for state lawmakers to approve tolls on now-free East River bridges and a 0.33 percent business payroll tax to help lawmakers fill the budget gap.
Ravitch also suggested modest fare hikes every two years at the rate of inflation.
Although Gov. Paterson endorsed Ravitch’s proposal, it’s unclear if Albany lawmakers will follow suit.
If an MTA bailout isn’t approved, service cuts will begin in March and fare increases would start in the summer, MTA officials have said.