The Metropolitan Transportation Authority held its fourth and final public hearing on their new proposed fare hikes.

Long Island Rail Road commuters would be paying what would amount to a more than 4% increase for monthly, weekly and one-way peak tickets if the proposal goes through. The amount would vary depending on the zone, but a monthly increase for the LIRR could cost anywhere from more than $4 to up to almost $20.

The fare hikes would also raise toll prices for the bridges and tunnels from 6% to 10% depending on the final decision.

According to the MTA, after a pause during COVID, the transit agency is resuming its practice of adopting fare and toll increases every other year.

The MTA calls it, "a modest and predictable increase that helps keep up with inflation."

Commuters, however, say the proposed fare hikes are not fair to riders.

"It's not good, I mean the cost of living has gone up and everybody's raising prices everywhere, but it's kicking people when they're down," one person said.

President of Passengers United, a commuter advocate group, Charlton D'Souza spoke at Monday's public hearing on behalf of LIRR riders.

"We feel there should be no fare hikes - service is horrible, it's horrible and if you look at what's happening with the delays, the breakdowns, it's not right to the commuters," D'Souza says.

The MTA is going to vote on the proposed fare changes in July and if they are approved, they will go into effect by Labor Day.