MTA big: Tie fare hikes to good service

If the MTA wants more fare money from the riding public, it must improve subway, bus and rail service, says one of its board members.

Larry Schwartz, who chairs the MTA’s finance committee, has said the agency must improve ontime performance, cut delays and provide more service, officials told the Daily News.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board is set to vote on a fare hike on Jan. 24.

One of the two potential options MTA board members can consider would keep the base fare flat at $2.75 but end the 5% cash bonus on pay-per-ride MetroCards. The price of a 30-day unlimited MetroCard would go up to $127.

The other option raises the base fare to $3, and gives riders a 10% cash bonus for every $6 round trip put on the card. A 30-day unlimited would increase to $126.25.

The seven-day unlimited MetroCard would cost $33 under both options.

Schwartz (below), a former top aide to Gov. Cuomo, could not be reached for comment.

Sources told The News that Schwartz had also pitched a plan to the board that would tackle fare evasion and recoup up to $100 million a year in lost revenue with help from surveillance cameras and uniformed officers.

Cuomo, who has said he does not control the MTA board, has publicly opposed a fare hike.