Transit Talk: Proposed fare hike, protecting passengers and holiday service

NEW YORK (PIX11) – MTA Deputy Chief of Service Diversions and Coordination Jose LaSalle sat down with PIX11 Morning News on Thursday to discuss the issues on straphangers' minds.

More National Guard troops will be flooding the subway system to increase safety during the holidays, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday.

"The perception is that there's crime in subways when it's actually down," LaSalle said. "People are going to feel more comfortable coming into the subway environment."

Hochul also announced that all subway cars in New York City are now equipped with surveillance cameras. That could help as the NYPD searches for the person accused of shoving a 72-year-old man onto subway tracks at the 34th Street-Herald Square subway station this week, LaSalle said.

"The cameras will help in identifying and getting a clear image of a lot of these culprits," LaSalle said.

LaSalle also addressed the possibility of a fare and toll hike in 2025. The MTA approved a budget plan on Wednesday that could raise fares and tolls by 4%, which means it would cost $3 for a one-way trip on the subway.

"Let me set the record straight right here… these are budget assumptions, line items that have been baked into the budget," LaSalle responded. "It still needs an approval process… it will take place in February."

PIX11 anchor Dan Mannarino responded by saying that budget proposals, like fare increases, usually pass when voted on.

"But let me be clear that the chairman, the president… we know how vital the subway is and how important it is for everyone to save some money in New York," LaSalle said. "That's going to be the last way for us to raise any kind of income."

In addition, LaSalle talked about the Queens bus route redesign, holiday service and more.