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NEW YORK, NY September 25, 2007 —The MTA has proposed the increase of the basic fare of a bus or subway ride from $2 to $2.25. But, the agency is also considering discounts for riders who travel off peak. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

The MTA is considering raising the cost of the $76 monthly unlimited card by $3-$6. If the agency chooses the higher monthly fee, it would balance that by offering a new discount for riders who choose to travel off peak. Those who buy a few trips at a time could pay as little as $1.50 for not traveling during rush hour.

The MTA's chief operating officer, Susan Kupferman, says the goal is to encourage more people to change their behavior and to make trains less crowded. Transit advocates praised the concept of peak-pricing as well as the MTA's plan to also offer 14-day cards that would cost either $45 or $48. But city Councilman John Liu, who chairs the transportation committee, still questions the need for any fare hike in 2008 given the agency's surplus.

Public hearings will be held in November. For WNYC I'm Beth Fertig.