Imagine having a transit system that ran 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year? A subway system that makes train stops every few blocks, has unique tile mosaics in multiple stations and had a numerous amount of train lines that take you anywhere in minutes. New Yorkers are fortunate enough to have this system. Unfortunately, it comes at a price. For New Yorkers, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) announced that the new subway fare would increase from $2.00 to $2.50 per ride. For many who might not be familiar with the New York transit system, they might think it is a bargain, but for native New Yorkers, there is an uproar against the fares.
The problem is that although ridership continues to increase in the largest city in the United States, service is at the absolute worse. Two subway lines and 35 bus routes will be eliminated service will be cut on other lines. Take it from a personal subway user; cutting down service is a bad idea in a city where even at 3:00am, you feel like a sardine in a can.
Its difficult to finance an extensive train system with these luxury amenities that other cities do not have. There are massive repair works, service changes, daily maintenance, workers and unions to support and other various costs. In previous years, the MTA borrowed too much money and are unable to pay off their expenses, while maintaining the current system and trying to upgrade future projects. One big project is the upcoming 2nd Avenue train station, which will run down a majority of the Manhattan island; providing service for a part of Manhattan that really needs a subway line.
Its a bitter situation; to understand this extensive system, yet to cringe at this fare hike. New Yorkers are the only commuters who have a 24 hour train system. But in such a busy city with over crowded trains and service cuts left and right, we wonder what other cities pay for their transit system. Are we complaining too much or should this fare take a hike?
Rome, Italy
http://www.rome.info/metro
Ticket: 1,00 Euro ($1.35 USD)
Daily Unlimited Pass: 4,00 Euro ($5.42 USD)
Monthly Pass: 30,00-46,00 Euro ($40-$62.41 USD)
Hours of Operation: 5:30am until 11.30pm
Tokyo, Japan
http://www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/ticket/regular.html
¥160 -¥300 ($1.63-$3.06 USD)
Daily Unlimited Pass: ¥710 ($7.26)
Monthly Pass: ¥16,820 ($171 USD)
Hours of Operation: 5:00am- 12:15am
Montreal, Canada
http://www.stm.info/English/info/a-tarif.htm
Ticket: $2.75 CAN ($2.23 USD)
Daily Unlimited Pass: $9.00 CAN ($7.31 USD)
Monthly Pass: $68.50 CAN ($55.64)
Hours of Operation: Roughly 5:30am-1:00am
Bangkok, Thailand
http://bangkok.sawadee.com/skytrain.htm
Ticket: 15-40 Baht (42 cents-$1.12USD)
Daily Unlimited Pass: 120 Baht. ($3.37 USD)
Monthly Pass: 440-800 Baht ($12.31 USD-$22.00 USD)
Hours of Operation: 6:00am-12:00am
New York City (With new proposed fare hikes)
http://www.mta.info/
Ticket: $2.50 from $2.00
Daily Unlimited Pass: $9.50 from $7.50
Monthly Pass: $103 from $81.00
Hours of Operation: 24 hours/7 days a week
There is a lot of controversy over the issues. Many are outraged at the fare hike in a very rough economy. However, we all have to get to work, go to school and go about the day, regardless of fare hikes. It will mean cutting back on other things, perhaps being more wary of being more green and maybe walking to work when it is warmer.
Have you traveled to any of these countries? What are your experiences with the service? Any amenities that really stand out? Let us know! Feel free to comment and share your stories! As for us at AOB, we’ll be paying that $2.50 per ride June 1st. At least I will be, while my partner will be traveling!
Happy travels, or I should say, commuting!
