By: Jordan Baker

New York City straphangers woke up Sunday to another hit to their wallets as the MTA’s latest fare increase officially took effect, pushing the cost of a subway or bus ride to an even $3. As The New York Post reported, the 10-cent bump from the $2.90 fare set in 2023 left many riders shaking their heads and wondering how much more they can absorb as everyday costs continue to climb.

For commuters who rely on public transit daily, the increase may seem small on paper, but riders told the New York Post that it adds up fast. “I just know it’s gonna add up,” said Mayan Crampton, a 23-year-old who regularly travels into Manhattan from Hoboken, New Jersey. Like many young workers, Crampton said he doesn’t really have a choice but to pay the higher fare to get to his job.

Others were far less restrained. Phaedra Phaded, 33, who commutes regularly from Chinatown, didn’t mince words when speaking to the Post. “It’s f–ked,” she said bluntly. “I don’t get paid enough for this. The hike is crazy.”

As The New York Post reported, frustration wasn’t just about the extra dime — it was about what riders see as poor management and misplaced priorities at the MTA. Seana Steele, 41, said the agency should focus on better using the money it already collects instead of repeatedly turning to riders for more. “The MTA constantly misappropriates funds,” Steele told the Post, arguing that service improvements should come before costly new turnstiles and fare-control experiments.

Steele also pointed to fare evasion, which the MTA says costs the system more than $400 million annually, as part of the problem. According to the Post, she questioned whether aggressive enforcement would even be necessary if rides were more affordable. “If [rides] were more affordable and available to everyone, that wouldn’t be an issue,” she said, adding that in earlier stages of her life, even a small increase could have had serious consequences.

The fare hike comes at a moment of uncertainty for the transit system itself. As the New York Post noted, newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani has pledged to pursue his campaign promise of making city buses completely free. Mamdani has said the proposal would cost roughly $700 million annually, funding it by raising taxes on corporations and high-income earners — a plan that has already sparked debate over feasibility and long-term sustainability.

Some state officials and political hopefuls say the latest increase underscores the need for a different approach altogether. Comptroller candidate Adem Bunkeddeko told the Post that riders need relief, not higher prices. “Let’s be clear, we need to freeze fares — not raise them,” he said. “The cost of everything is going up, and what working people don’t need right now is to pay more just to get around.”