NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -
From spending cuts to fare hikes, the cost of riding the MTA subways and buses is going up.
It will cost more beginning Sunday and the fare increases coincide with weekend track work that will delay service on 17 lines.
A quarter here, a dollar there -- these fare hikes are really going to add up.
Making matters worse, pretty much every subway line on entire East Side is experiencing major delays.
Here we go again.
For the third time in three years, the MTA is raising its fares to plug a major budget deficit.
"When the Transit Authority decides to raise the fare, they just raise it," said one straphanger.
And raise they did.
Hikes have already kicked in on the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North. Then starting Sunday, fares go up on all subways, bridges and tunnels.
"I really think it's ridiculous, I mean it's out of control," added another subway rider.
Single ride Metro Cards will now be $2.50. Monthly Metro Cards are going up to $112 and a 7-day unlimited card is now $30.00.
And the pay per bonus discount goes down to 5 percent.
"A quarter is a lot of money I'm telling you, but what can we do?"
As for bridges and tunnels, it depends on which one, and if you're paying cash or have EZ-Pass.
There's also mass confusion on the subways as, once again, major service disruptions are going on this weekend due to construction.
17 lines are affected: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 C D E F G M N Q R and S.
"It's very annoying, especially with three kids -- it's hard to navigate the city otherwise," said one frustrated straphanger.
"I just don't think it's so great, but that's part of what it's like to live in New York City. I'm a New Yorker – I'll live with it."
Experts worry traffic will be a problem come Monday because people might do what they call "bridge jumping" instead of going through a toll. They might go the other way -- like possibly the Third Avenue Bridge where there isn't a toll.
If you think fare hikes are over -- there's another one planned for 2015.
