Board members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority unanimously voted Wednesday morning to revoke their privilege of free travel. The vote occurred after growing pressure from Governor David Paterson and State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who argued that the free perk violated a no-compensation for board members law.

Except for official business, MTA Board members must pay the same price for a MetroCard as any other transit rider. Except for official business, board members will no longer be able to use the free, unlimited E-ZPass for personal use on railroads, subways, and buses, said The New York Times.

At a time when gas and food prices seem to rise unstoppably, Governor Paterson said that encouraging free transit for board members would show "an utter contempt for average New Yorkers."