Union Square pulsed today as 1,000 protested a 5% MTA subway fare hike, now $3.05. Chants of ‘Fund the MTA’ echoed; X posts tagged #NoFareHike hit 12,000. Organizer Zara Khan, 35, demanded state taxes over rider fees—500 clapped. Free transit cards for 200 low-income NYers—crowd cheered. NYC’s transit—tensions boil at 72°F.
MTA cites $1B deficit; fare hike funds signal upgrades. Riders argue service lags—7 train delays hit 20 minutes daily. A Bronx commuter’s speech on $120 monthly costs drew nods; equity talk surged. Data shows 4M daily riders—10% cut use post-hike. Protest’s cry—NYC’s mobility at stake.
It’s not smooth—cops clashed with 10 marchers; tempers flared. Some say MTA’s bloated—exec pay under fire. Still, 1,000 strong, 2 hours—movement’s alive. Post-rally, 14th Street buzzed—flyers littered. Fare fight—NYC’s battle.
Khan’s 35—transit hero? Commuters’ 30s—daily grind. NYC marched; Union Square hummed. Hike protest—rage on.