Fort Greene Commuters Frustrated by MTA Fare Hike

Faced with an increase in the MTA's fares for the third time in three years, Fort Greene-area commuters expressed frustration Monday morning with the seemingly ever-rising costs of getting from point A to point B. 

"I think it's ridiculous," said Robert Salas, who was waiting for a bus at Fort Greene Place and Fulton Street. "It's hard enough for people to get by."

Having gone into effect early Sunday, straphangers saw a multitude of price increases, including a single bus or subway ride go up 25 cents to $2.50 and monthly MetroCards increase from $104 to $112.

The MTA, which had been struggling to close its budget deficit before suffering $5 billion in damages from Hurricane Sandy, is expected to make an additional $450 million a year from the fare hike. 

"Everyone is complaining, but then I think about the folks running the trains, and they got to get paid too," said Wilhelmina Lee, who was also waiting for a bus. "Where's the medium, though?"

Salas agreed, saying, "You're actually working to pay for transportation." 

Yvonne Deavreu, who said she had been waiting for a bus for what felt like forever, had made her peace with the fare increase but took issue with the added charge for buying a new MetroCard. 

As of early Sunday, the MTA now charges $1 for each new MetroCard bought at a vending machine or station booth. Commuters can avoid the fee by refilling the card they have, or by turning in expired or damaged MetroCards for functioning ones.

"Last year when they increased the fare, at least they didn't charge me a dollar for a new card," she said. "I just don't know when it's going to stop."

She noted that earlier that morning, her husband waited for a bus for an hour and said if the fare is going to increase, so should the MTA's reliability. "It's just not fair," Deavreu said. 

And while no one is happy with the fare hike, many have decided it's better to just grin and bear it. 

"I just got to grit my teeth and ante up," Lee said with a laugh. "I'm just thankful I have a job and that I can afford it."