Subway and bus fare hikes expected in 2019, 2021

Commuters in the New York area can expect to pay more to ride the subways and buses soon.

At an MTA board meeting Wednesday, MTA Chairman Joe Lhota said the agency has "a clear and urgent need for new and consistent revenues." He proposed two rounds of 4-percent fare hikes: one in 2019 and another in 2021.

Board members said a budget deficit and unreliable outside revenue source are part of the reasons for proposing the increases.

"It's a combination of service, it's a combination of for-hire vehicles," Lhota said. "Included in that would also be fare evasion."

The proposed hikes would be the sixth and seventh times the MTA has raised fares since 2009.