Wondering if it’s a fare deal

Controversial fare hikes are making MTA board officials apprehensive about passing a tough budget loaded with service cuts. In a rare move, members of the MTA board's finance committee have declined to recommend that the full board pass the budget when it comes up for a vote Wednesday, because it contains proposed fare and toll increases that are far from certain. The cause of board members' concern against supporting the $17 billion budget is an assumption that nearly $270 million from fare and toll hikes next year will fill MTA coffers, even though elected officials like Gov. Cuomo, who controls the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, oppose the increases. The fare hike vote is in January.