NYC Midday News: Flash Floods, Cannabis Dispensaries, and MTA Fare Hikes

Flash Flood Warning and Storm Preparedness

• ⚠️ Residents are urged to stay off the roads and prepare for flash flooding as significant storms are expected from Thursday night into Friday.
• 🌧️ The National Weather Service predicts 1.5 to 3 inches of rain for New York City, with potential for up to 5 inches in some areas.
• 💧 Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul advise vigilance in low-lying areas and encourage clearing or reporting clogged catch basins.
• 🚗 New Jersey state offices are issuing an early dismissal for state employees on Thursday afternoon.

Cannabis Dispensary Regulations

• ⚖️ Dozens of New York cannabis dispensaries face potential closure or relocation due to a 500-foot rule from schools.
• 📏 State officials are correcting an error in how distance was measured, moving from door-to-door to property line measurements.
• 📜 Governor Hochul and lawmakers are exploring legislative changes to allow dispensaries to remain, but no guarantees are provided.

MTA Fare Increase Proposal

• 🚇 The MTA is proposing a 10-cent increase for single subway and bus rides, bringing the cost to $3.00 per ride.
• 📈 The MTA argues that the current fare is lower than the cost of inflation and should be closer to $3.50, referencing the historical "pizza principle".
• 🚆 Commuter rail fares (Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North) are set to increase by 4.4%, and tolls for bridges and tunnels by 7.5%.
• 💳 The cost of physical Omni cards will double to $2.00, encouraging the use of credit cards or smartphones.
• 🗣️ The Adams administration has expressed outrage, calling for MTA board members to vote no on the proposed fare hike.

MTA Service and Fare Capping

• 🛠️ Despite fare increases, the MTA faces criticism for ongoing signal upgrade projects that are late and over budget, and for system meltdowns during hot weather.
• 🔄 The fare cap program for subways and buses will increase from $34 to $36 per 7-day period, after which rides become free.
• 🚫 The MetroCard will be retired early next year, along with the 30-day unlimited MetroCard, which the MTA deems a regressive cost.
• 🚌 Express bus riders will now be included in the fare capping program, with a 7-day threshold of $67 for unlimited rides.