Public Hearing: MTA Proposed Increase for Bee-Line Bus Fares
The Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, to seek comment on adoption of a fare increase for the Bee-Line Bus system. The proposed increase is in conjunction with the regional fare hikes authorized by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
The county system is part of the MTA’s MetroCard system, but final approval of the changes in Bee-Line Bus fares also must be given by the county department. The fare increases would be identical to those on the MTA New York City Transit system that will go into effect March 3.
Single-ride bus fares will increase to $2.50, from the current $2.25, the same as the authorized increase for New York City subways and buses. For seniors and the disabled with the proper IDs, the fare will increase to $1.25, from the current $1.10.
The 30-day unlimited-ride MetroCard (usable on Bee-Line buses and New York City buses and subways) will increase to $112, from the current $104. For seniors and the disabled the 30-day unlimited-ride card will cost $56, up from $52.
The seven-day unlimited-ride cards will increase to $30, from $29. For seniors and the disabled, the fare will increase to $15, up from $14.50.
The threshold for receiving a bonus discount on a MetroCard will be lowered to $5, from the current $10. The amount of the discount will be reduced to 5 percent, from the current 7 percent. This thereby reduces the effective cost of a single ride to $2.38.
The fare for the Bee-Line Route BxM4C, Westchester-Manhattan Express will not change, with the cost of one ride remaining at $7.50 and at $3.75 for the Senior and Disabled Reduced Fare.
Those in attendance at the hearing will be given an opportunity to speak. Written comments may be submitted to: The Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation, 100 E. 1st St., Mount Vernon, New York 10550. These written comments must be received by the close of business on Jan. 24.
The Westchester County Center is located at 198 Central Avenue and is an accessible building.
For further information, the public may call the Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation at 914-813-7777 or may visit the department’s Web site: www.westchestergov.com/beelinebus.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.