The $3 Subway Ride?

Well, probably not. But the MTA has released its list of proposed fare increases for next year, listing a $3 subway ride as the top possible price under the new schedule. That way when it turns out to be $2.75, people aren't so freaked. Via NY Times:

The base subway and bus fare could go as high as $3 next year as part of a proposed fare and toll increase meant to bridge the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s gaping budget deficit. The authority on Monday released a list of the maximum possible fare and toll increases when it posted a notice with the dates of eight public hearings on the proposal. The notice said that a monthly unlimited ride MetroCard could go as high as $105, while some fares on Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road could increase by up to a third. Tolls could go as high as $7. But riders and drivers should be cautious when reading the notice. It gives the maximum level to which fares and tolls can rise. But it may be misleading. The authority will issue a more detailed set of proposals next week that in many cases will show smaller increases. The authority said that it builds some leeway into the maximum increases in the notice so that it can modify its proposals if it chooses, raising or lowering different types of fares. It is not allowed to raise fares by more than what it says in the notice.