What’s fare is fair

Subway and bus fares rose in 2009 and 2011 and 2013 and 2015 and 2017. If you see a pattern, you’re supposed to, because odd-year inflation-based hikes make for a steady revenue stream to keep up with rising prices, while giving straphangers predictability.

This was former MTA chair and lieutenant governor Dick Ravitch’s idea, part of a 2008 bailout, and it’s a good one. Before, the MTA and its elected masters sidestepped needed increases out of political fear. That starved the agency of cash, hurting service. Then, when the fare absolutely had to climb, riders got socked with shocking spikes.

Democrat Cynthia Nixon and Republican Marc Molinaro, both hoping to replace Andrew Cuomo as governor, are slamming planned fare hikes for 2019 and 2021. They’re seeking cheap populist points at the expense of sound transit policy.