Reilly in response to today’s fare increase approved by the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority:

“It is irresponsible and just plain stupid to take more money from the pockets of hardworking New Yorkers under the guise that it will improve our transit system. Add to that the number of state and local politicians who have spent time creating unhelpful noise by coming up with harebrained schemes to generate revenue for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority instead of looking the actual problem in the face. The reality is that charging people more money to travel throughout the place they call home and even legalizing the sale of recreational marijuana will not address any of the problems with our transit system.

While I was somewhat pleased to hear yesterday that Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo have finally woken up to realize that the problem falls on the management of the agency itself, today’s decision by the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority – of which de Blasio and Cuomo have both appointed members to – is a slap on the face for the New Yorkers they claim they are trying to help. Perhaps more disgusting is the fact that this increase seemed to target Staten Island the most.

It will now cost you a whopping $19 to access the rest of the place you call home, but have no fear, if you do not drive a vehicle and rely on our inadequate public transportation to get you over the bridge, the rate to ride an express bus has increased too! I have but one question for everyone: When is enough, enough?”