New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. issued the following statement of today’s vote by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to increase subway and bus fares:

“The bottom line is that the MTA’s fiscal situation simply is not sustainable over the long-term, and no number of fare and toll increases can change that fact. The MTA must begin making tough choices before it seeks its tired old remedy of penalizing New York’s loyal mass transit riders.

“This is yet another instance where Governor Pataki took a hands-off approach to a problem that will directly hurt New York City residents. I am troubled by his inertia during this crisis.”

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