By Anthony Rifilato
"It's too much. I'm paying double now," Zez said.
Effective May 1, Baldwin commuters' monthly fees into Penn Station via the Long Island Rail Road increase from $154 to $192, and daily round-trip tickets for peak hours will increase from $14 to $17.50.
The increase comes after what the MTA said was a need to close a deficit and maintain services, though last week an audit of the agency by State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi found that the MTA shifted surplus money in 2002 in order to pay down its debt in 2004. Hevesi called for a suspension of the May 1 increase. Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi also called on the MTA last week to postpone the 25 percent hike, and said that the surplus was large enough to shore up budget problems.
While the imbroglio over the MTA's failure to release the information to the public continues, riders are bracing for not only higher train fares, but subway and bus increases. In Manhattan, subway fares will increase from $1.50 to $2, with monthly Metrocards jumping from $63 to $70 on May 4.
"Of course no one is happy that it's that high," said Gerard Bringmann, vice-chair of the Long Island Rail Road Commuters Council. Bringmann said he understands the need for some sort of increase, since the MTA has not raised fares in seven years.
"We knew there was going to be a need for an increase at least next year," Bringmann said, citing debts and other costs such as maintenance and services. "We didn't expect the increase to be that high. The average guy is taking a beating."
Although the increase is steep, the MTA is offering incentives such as a 9 percent discount on the price of a monthly LIRR ticket if it's purchased with an unlimited MetroCard.
The new fares also herald some changes at the LIRR, including the elimination of the rider-friendly "forgotten ticket policy." Now even commuters with monthly tickets will have to pay the full onboard fare if they forget those tickets.
At the Baldwin train station last week, riders said that the higher fares are an increased burden on their daily commute. Baldwin resident and commter Omayeli Etuwewe said, "It's too high. Maybe10 percent, but not 25 [percent]."
Others said the increases should be suspended due to the Hevesi's allegations. "They should hold back on the increase until they find out what's going on," said John Selg, a Wantagh resident who was waiting for his transfer at the Baldwin station last Friday. "Where's the money going?"
Other riders agreed. "I think they should have used the surplus on the fares," said 17-year-old Lionel Ripert, of Bellmore. "I think it's too expensive."
