Comptroller Advises Delaying Fare Hike

The city and the state could increase subsidies to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority by $728 million through existing tax funds and subsidy programs and delay fare hikes and toll increases at least until 2010, the city comptroller, William Thompson, said in a report released yesterday.

The MTA earlier this month proposed a 6.5% increase in fares and tolls to close a looming budget deficit, and asked the state for $600 million by 2010. Mr. Thompson recommended putting off the fare hike and asking for transit dollars now.

Mr. Thompson's proposals could be a hard sell among state lawmakers, in part because he recommends giving the bulk of the money to New York City Transit, which runs the city's buses and subways. The MTA said in a statement that it hopes Mr. Thompson will be a partner in lobbying for the funding from Albany and City Hall.