The Metropolitan Transportation Authority held its first of three public hearings on the proposed rate hike, which would raise the cost of a bus or subway ride from $2.90 to $3.

Under the proposed fare hikes, subway and bus rides would cost $3, up from the current $2.90. There were also be a 25-cent increase for express buses. Monthly and weekly tickets for the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad would also increase up to 4.5%, and drivers would pay 20-60 cents more at MTA bridges and tunnels.

A procession of residents at hearings Wednesday said the MTA is on the wrong track with plans to increase fares, often calling for it to do more to collect from fare evaders. Bus and train riders and advocates at a hybrid hearing Wednesday morning ...