But if insisting on 50% "genuinely affordable" homes at Harrow-on-the-Hill - or even anything substantially higher than the 10% Thomas understands TfL initially had in mind - makes it harder both to fund the local station improvements and to bridge the fares freeze funding gap, doesn't something have to give?
At the border bridges operated by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, the fare can be paid with $3 American or $3.50 Canadian — a far cry from parity.
Making buses and subways free, on the other hand, would increase passenger numbers, opening up space on the streets for essential traffic and saving time by reducing road congestion.In New York, the idea of free buses and subways dates back to at least 1965, when Ted Kheel, a lawyer, first floated the idea and pushed for a doubling of bridge and tunnel fares to make up for lost revenue.
Mr. Lhota's support for fare and bridge toll increases has become an issue in the mayor's race — his major opponent in the Republican primary, John A. Catsimatidis, is running television commercials criticizing it — but within the transit authority, Mr. Lhota's handling of the fare increase was widely regarded as savvy.
London Green Party tweeted: "More delays for passengers at London Bridge - straight after fare rise.
For years, New York officials have complained that the Port Authority was greatly subsidizing PATH fares that had not kept pace with New York subway fares, and bridge and tunnel tolls that had lagged behind those on the East River crossings, all contributing to an imbalance in the benefits that New Yorkers and New Jerseyans receive from the agency's programs.
Transit fares and bridge tolls are destined to go up.
It will also vote on proposals to increase revenues from commuter rail fares and bridge and tunnel tolls.
Public authorities do not directly rely on taxpayer dollars; they draw their revenue from dedicated sources they are created to oversee, like bridge tolls or subway fares.
It is considering steep increases in fares and bridge tolls, as well as service cuts, to bridge a $1.2 billion shortfall in its operating budget.
