News today (here and here) indicate that the Port Authority could begin discussing a proposal to do away with the zone pricing system and peak fares, charging less if a rider uses the connectcard instead of cash, and adding a visitor day pass.

Fare revenues in the years 2009-2013 as outlined in data available through the National Transit Database shows that, as a portion of “sources of operating funds”, fare revenues provide about 25% to 28% of PAT’s total sources (local, state, Federal, and other provide the remainder).

There were fare increases in 2011 and 2012, and total fare revenue rose 14% in those years (from $87.9 million to $100.5 million).  In 2013 the $100.5 million in fares provided 28% of all operating fund sources.  Nationally, the Database shows that in 2013 fare revenues provided 33% of all sources of operating funds.