This Bud hike’$ for you: MTA
Boozy riders on the region’s commuter railroad lines are about to get soaked.
In the oddest MTA fare hike yet, beer, wine and liquor on LIRR and Metro-North trains will cost 25 cents more as of January.
LIRR riders will see the increase on imported and domestic beers, while passengers heading upstate on Metro-North will feel the sting on everything from top-shelf liquor to soda.
The hike will be voted in next week “to generate additional revenue, while at the same time remaining competitive with private vendors,” the MTA said.
Metro-North will reap an additional $150,000. As is, it profits $1.5 million from $6.4 million in alcohol sales annually.
The LIRR should also bring in an additional $150,000. It takes in $500,000 in profit on $2.4 million in yearly booze sales.
The 25-cent hike exceeds the 1.4 percent growth in the consumer price index since the last time the cost of alcohol went up on the rails.
Metro-North’s increase is about 3.8 percent, the LIRR’s about 4.2 percent. Each last increased its alcohol prices in July 2009.
