Raise Subway, Bus Fares? Bloomberg Says 'Maybe'

Mayor Bloomberg is leaving the door open to supporting a possible hike of the city's subway and bus fares.

The mayor — who often touts that he carries a MetroCard and takes the subway to work — yesterday said he had not yet seen the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's books, but if it turns out the state agency is being run efficiently and is still expecting future deficits, "there's nothing wrong with" asking straphangers to dig deeper into their pockets.

"The city is certainly doing its part. And the state should come up with some money sure. I don't have a problem with having the straphangers pay a reasonable amount, too," the mayor said.

While Mr. Bloomberg will not have the final say, his support or opposition could be a big factor in determining whether swiping a MetroCard will cost more than $2, as he has several appointees on the MTA board. It is expected to vote on the issue in December. Mr. Bloomberg stressed that he had not made a decision, but also noted that before that decision is made the MTA should figure out how to provide mass transit upgrades.