Let’s punish the BRU and raise fares, ARRRGH!!! 

I like Richard Katz as a person, but his comment that MTA would never have to raise fares if Measure J was passed was just bizarre and had the appearance of pandering for votes. MTA has to raise fares and move to a more rational fare structure that includes time based fares and distance based fares on rail (creating a “short trip” fare while making the default fare a $2.50 two hour pass, for instance). Keep the monthly pass at a similar price and increase the base fare to encourage riders to use the monthly pass, or better use an accumulator on the smart card.

Of course this is somewhat hypocritical since I’m bashing the distance based fare people on bus on The Source, but rail has turnstiles, you might as well take advantage of them.