No matter which way you travel into New York City, you’ll be feeling it in your pockets-or at least when you look at your bank statement.
As it happens every so often, for different reasons, prices are upped for transportation. This time, Newsday reports that the Port Authority’s reasoning is as follows: “The agency has said the increases will help fund a 10-year, $30 billion capital improvement plan that includes $8.4 billion to rebuild the World Trade Center. The money will also help pay for a new commuter rail tunnel under the Hudson River and PATH improvements.”
However, the article also states “the increases are meant to thin traffic and encourage commuters to use mass transit.” But still, the tolls on bridges were not the only increase in the past few days. The Long Island Rail Road, PATH trains, buses, subways and Metro-North Railroad also experienced a fare hike. This way of transportation may still be cheaper-considering skyrocketing gas prices-but this plan seems counterproductive. If you are trying to encourage a method of transportation, you shouldn’t raise those prices, as well.
More specifically, one of the most ridiculous changes involves the $10 MetroCard. This card included a free ride, until now (six rides-five $2 rides plus one for free). The $10 MetroCard now leaves you with $1 and change left over-wasteful and without a purpose for commuters. The point may be for riders to refill their cards, instead of trashing it (wasting paper) and buying a new one. However, this will most likely just be a hassle for the bustling New Yorker.
There are some ways to ease your travel prices if commuting by car, as many University students do. If you don’t already have it, get an EZ-Pass and if possible, travel during non-peak hours. However, some tolls completely rid the discount-regardless of when you travel and how you pay. EZ-Pass discounts should be enforced at all times, as individuals paying cash cause traffic back-ups.
It seems that any kind of traveling in the area will be costing even bigger bucks…as if New York City spending doesn’t cost enough already. Maybe a college student’s best option is to just find something to do right here on campus.