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by rayiner 3106 days ago
The MTA’s current problems are not the result of underfunding in the past. But overcoming the backlog will require more money in the short term than a well-maintained system would need. Also, raising fares will allow MTA to reduce dependency on the State, which in NY tends to be an unpredictable and unstable funding source.

There is no reason for the NYC metro to be cheaper than the London Tube. They should raise fares to what the market will bear, and use the money for expansion or save it for a rainy day.
1 comments
jbooth 3106 days ago
"what the market will bear" isn't necessarily appropriate for a public good, though.

It might maximize ticket revenue if they priced some people out of taking the train. Doesn't maximize good for the city, or even revenue for the city if some marginal person decides to stay home instead of going to work.

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rayiner 3106 days ago
Maximizing ticket revenue allows the system to offer better service for everyone who uses it. To the extent that people are priced out at the margin, that can be addressed through targeted subsidies (or guaranteed minimum income). In any event, whatever the desirable range may be, having fares that are only about half as much as in the closest comparable city with a well-functioning subway (London), is clearly outside that range.
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dsfyu404ed 3106 days ago
>Maximizing ticket revenue allows the system to offer better service for everyone who uses it

So only rich people will ride the subway but those who do will have a better experience?

> To the extent that people are priced out at the margin, that can be addressed through targeted subsidies (or guaranteed minimum income).

Please provide examples of this working in practice.

It doesn't seem to work for healthcare, education, etc.

The places with "good" healthcare, education, transportation, internet, etc, don't make it expensive and then hand out vouchers to poor people. They make it free or so cheap everyone can afford it.

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rayiner 3106 days ago
> So only rich people will ride the subway but those who do will have a better experience?

Most people can afford a $5 subway ticket.

> Please provide examples of this working in practice.

London Tube fares range from 2.4 to 5.1 pounds. That’s $3.50-$8.00 using typical exchange rates, versus just $2.75 for the NYC metro. Somehow non-rich people in London manage.

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