The $1 surcharge applied to MetroCards in New York City this March has been extremely profitable, resulting in $10,841,000 for the MTA. According to the New York Daily News, the fee will yield $24 million for the agency by the end of this year and an estimated $28 million next year. Furthermore, it also figures to save the MTA nearly $4 million because they'll be printing 60 million fewer cards. The "green fee" name couldn't be more perfect.
The Daily News does note that this money could be offset by $11 million worth of reduction in "fare media liability," which is what happens when commuters leave meager amounts of money on their cards. Still, the MTA made and saved a ton of money; they're laughing all the way to the bank.
[via Gothamist and New York Daily News]
