NEW YORK (AP)  -- The governor and mayor urged transit officials Tuesday to look for savings before possibly raising fares and tolls for a second year in a row.


Glenn Schuck Reports

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is set to unveil its preliminary 2009 budget Wednesday and may boosttolls and fares. The discussion would come four months after the last price increase for the agency's subways, buses, commuter railroads, bridges and tunnels.

Gov. David Paterson said an increase ``this soon after the last fare hike just, in my opinion, is not wise.''

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he wouldn't support another fare increase unless the MTA can show it's tightening its own belt. ``Anybody that tells you they've got a $10 billion budget and they can't find a way to cut 5 percent, that's just poor management,'' said the mayor, a billionaire businessman who frequently takes the subway to work.


John Montone reports

An MTA representative did not immediately return a message requesting comment on Bloomberg's remarks.

The possible fare increase comes at a time of heightened commuting expenses for New Yorkers, with gas more than $4 a gallon in the city. The MTA is also struggling with higher fuel prices.

The last fare increase took effect in March. The $2 fare for a single subway or bus ride didn't change, but monthly unlimited-ride MetroCards went to $81 from $76; weekly cards rose to $25 from $24.

MTA Executive Director Elliot Sander said last month that without state help, the agency would have to raise fares again next year.

Paterson said state officials were trying to help the MTA, which faces a budget shortfall.

``I think their asking for state aid is perfectly understandable,'' the governor said after an upstate groundbreaking. But with riders squeezed by rising energy costs, taxes and other expenses, ``I want to try to do everything I can to prevent'' a fare increase, he said.

He urged the authority to take another look at its books and said a transit finance commission needed more time to complete its work. Former MTA Chairman Richard Ravitch heads the group.

The Straphangers Campaign riders' advocacy group issued a statement saying it was disappointed New York City wouldn't contribute more to the MTA's budget. ``The city now gives so little to a transit system that makes New York possible, it's like they are jumping the turnstile,'' staff attorney Gene Russianoff said.