MetroSharing Update; Analyzing the New Fares

I've been metrosharing more frequently these days and I can't help feeling that the combination of high unemployment and the imminent fare increase is making it easier to offer a swipe and easier for others to accept.  Although the fare increase does not take effect until June 28, the current fare, not to mention the coming hike, is pretty daunting, especially for people who aren't finding enough work.  

Look for people (usually young men) standing or leaning on a column near the turnstiles.  I sometimes get turned down, but not once has anyone seemed offended. The unemployment rate in New York City is at 8%, but much higher for certain groups (like young men!). I suspect the young men who routinely (and graciously, in every instance) accept my offer of a swipe, are not on the way to work.  This doesn't mean they don't work or don't want to work.

Remember that you can metroshare within the family as well as with the general public.  If your child has a school MetroCard (useless on weekends), s/he can use your unlimited on the weekend.  And it's completely legal for one member of the family to swipe in another in the morning and then use the same pass a little later to get to work (or college or the park, etc.). Walking a loved one to the nearest subway can be a great way to have someone all to yourself, even for just a few minutes.

Here's what's going to happen on June 28:

single ride will go from $2 to $2.25

(15% bonus on fare cards will be added to cards for $8 and above)

7-day unlimited will go from $25 to $27 

14-day unlimited will go from $47 to $51.50

30-day unlimited will go from $81 to $89

For one thing, the math is more complicated if you're trying to figure out the best deal for your budget and your riding habits.

Let's say you buy a $10 fare card, on which you get a $1.50 bonus.  You'll get 5 rides on that card, with $.25 left over.  If you refill it 8 times ($90 total expenditure, $103.50 total value with the bonus), you'll be paying just under $2 a ride ($1.96).  

When is an unlimited card a good value?

7-day: if you ride AT LEAST 14 times in the one-week

14-day: if you ride AT LEAST 27 times in the two-week period

30-day:  if you ride AT LEAST 46 times in the 30-day period

If you are buying an unlimited card, you get a lot more out of it if you metroshare.  Just pause and look around after you exit a turnstile.  Don't forget to smile.

Act Now - Write Your State Senator

In the spirit of fair sharing (and fare sharing), Transportation Alternatives (TA) is urging New Yorkers to write our state senators urging them to support the Ravitch plan. Richard Ravitch, former head of the MTA, has proposed requiring tolls on the East River bridges.  This would mean that drivers would be asked to pay their fair share to support bridge maintenance.  In the short term, the additional revenue would also be used to forestall service cuts to buses and subways and reduce the size of the projected fare increase.  Personally, I am tired of footing the bill for drivers -- we pay a much bigger proportion of the real costs of public transit than drivers pay for the real cost of roads -- not to mention the other externalized costs like air quality and safety.  Good public transportation is good for drivers as well as those of us who use it, since it reduces congestion.  I could go on and on, but it's time for action.

I was out on the street in Park Slope on Saturday with other TA activists and the response from the public was excellent.  People were happy to write letters (we provided clipboards, pens, paper, sample letters, and free cookies).  Writing a letter only takes a few minutes (really!) and it has much more of an impact than mass email.  If you haven't written your letter yet, you can do this from home, but you'll need your own paper, pen, envelope, stamp, and cookies.  

How to do it:  First,  find your state senator's name and address, by going to www.senate.state.ny.us/senatehomepage.nsf/senators?OpenForm

and follow instructions to locate your senator and his or her home page.  If you can't manage a snail mail letter, send an email to your senator; but if you're overwhelmed by feelings of good citizenship (cookies may help you to sustain these feelings), do it right.  Tell your senator what neighborhood you live in and why you want him or her to support the Ravitch plan.  Feel free to use my reasons (above).  Make sure that you sign your letter and print your name and address as well.  

Next, bring some cookies to the neighbors in the next apartment, offer to address their envelopes, and spread the word!