Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) announced his opposition to fare increases proposed for the Long Island Rail Road. The proposed fare increase was announced by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) at a meeting Wednesday and Senator Hannon has pledged to fight for the commuters of Long Island.

Senator Hannon called on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to find other methods to resolve their financial problems and to look inside the organization for solutions to this continuous issue.

"Raising rates on rail commuters is simply not justifiable," said Senator Hannon. "According to the MTA's financial plan one year ago, the Authority forecasted a record $960 million surplus that year, with an expected surplus of $377 million in 2008. To now all of a sudden ask for another rate increase is unacceptable. We have skyrocketing gas prices, food prices, a recent toll increase, foreclosures, lower home values, and high property taxes. For the MTA to even think of proposing this is reprehensible. Enough is enough."

The plan unveiled by the MTA would increase fares on the LIRR by an average of 8% and would be in addition to the close to 4% increase that was implemented in March. And even if that increase is agreed to, the MTA has already announced that they intend to add another 5% increase in fares in 2011.