The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City's new fare hike for subways, buses and commuter rails went into effect on Thursday.


A passenger uses a Metro card to get into a subway station in New York, the United States, Dec. 30, 2010. The New York MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Administration) implemented from Thursday a rise in fare for all train tickets to increase its revenue by 7.5 percent. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
Under the new fare system, 30-day unlimited passes have jumped from 89 U.S. dollars to 104 dollars. Single-ride MetroCards are up from 2.25 U.S. dollars to 2.50 U.S. dollars, and seven-day cards now cost 29 U.S. dollars instead of 27 U.S. dollars.


Purchasing a new MetroCard instead of refilling an existing card now costs one U.S. dollar.


Despite New Yorkers' strong opposition, it is the third time in three years for MTA to increase fare. Tolls also went up at the MTA's bridges and tunnels. The fare increase came just months after severe cuts to service. The MTA said the increase is necessary to shrink the agency's budget gap.


VietNamNet/Xinhuanet