What does doomsday look like? The MTA answered the question over the holidays, releasing an official menu of the onerous fare hikes and service cuts that will take place if state legislators do not pass the Ravitch Commission’s plan to fund the MTA. The monthly MetroCard could reach $100 and the base subway fare could go to $2.50. LIRR and Metro-North tickets would cost up to 29% more. Deep service cuts would impact all MTA riders. The menu also describes the smaller fare hikes that will take place if the commission’s plan is passed.

For Long Island Bus riders, the plan is devastating. Their base fare would increase from $2 to at least $3.25, and Unlimited Ride MetroCards would not be accepted on LI Bus. People transferring from NYC Transit or MTA Bus to LI Bus would have to pay a step-up fee covering the difference in fares. The higher fare reflects that LI Bus is jointly funded by the MTA, Nassau, and the state; an increased contribution from any of these entities would hold fares down for LI Bus riders, many of whom are the least able to pay more. Nassau County households without cars have incomes less than half that of car-owning households.

Area papers called on the State Legislature to take action. The NY Times editorial board wrote that a protester who tried to throw a shoe at MTA CEO Lee Sander should have aimed at state politicians responsible for funding the system. The Staten Island Advance wrote that legislators had to stop service cuts and fare hikes that would “have a devastating effect on the regional economy [and] on countless individuals.”

Public discussion continued on the Ravitch Commission plan, which would institute a payroll tax and East and Harlem River bridge tolls to fix the MTA’s operating and capital budgets and expand express bus service. State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told the NY Post that his chamber was likely to back the payroll tax, but has been less enthusiastic about bridge tolls. Next week, members of the Empire State Transportation Alliance — a coalition of business, civic, labor, and environmental groups including TSTC — will be in Albany urging state lawmakers to save New York’s transit system. At least 11 MTA board members will join them.

Public hearings on the fare hike/service cut plan will take place in the five boroughs and in Nassau, Westchester, and Rockland Counties. The first is in Manhattan on Jan. 14 (dates and times are on the MTA’s website and TSTC’s calendar).