It's the same reason why the MTA keeps raising unlimited metrocards, but only gradually increasing single rides - people who can afford monthly tickets and get them on a regular basis are usually either wealthy enough that a couple extra dollars a month won't matter to them, and they won't go out of their way to "beat the system", or their company pays for their travel so it matters even less.
checkthedoorlight wrote:...people who can afford monthly tickets and get them on a regular basis are usually either wealthy enough that a couple extra dollars a month won't matter to them or their company pays for their travel...Hold on a second. It's people who ride everyday that buy monthlies (or 30-day MetroCards) and we're not all wealthy or even close to being wealthy, trust me. We buy them because they're cheaper. In the case of the Metro-North monthly tickets, they are a lot lot cheaper. If you ride everyday.
Ironically, that's the reason the MTA cited for raising the monthlies and unlimited-use MetroCards at a higher rate than single ride tickets. In this 'austerity era' they can't justify giving everyday riders such a big discount over regular fares.
I know many commuters but I have never known anyone who says they're reimbursed for their commutation costs. I'm sure it happens but I'd venture to say it's pretty rare.
Boy are WE getting off-thread!