NEW YORK (WABC) — City leaders rallied outside City Hall on Wednesday to call for an expansion of a program that provides discounted transit rides to low-income New Yorkers, saying too many eligible residents are not enrolled.
“Fair Fares has been a lifeline since 2019, helping hundreds of thousands of low income New Yorkers afford the costs of public transit,” City Council Member Crystal Hudson said. “But we also have to be honest, only about a third of eligible New Yorkers are enrolled.”
Nearly 1 million New Yorkers qualify for reduced fares, but officials said many have not signed up because the enrollment process is too complex, while others are unaware the program exists.
“Only 40% of New Yorkers who are eligible for fair fares are using it because this system is broken. So we are here Wednesday to call to demand for an expansion of fair fares to protect working families,” City Council Speaker Julie Menin said.
The Fair Fares program currently offers half-priced rides for residents earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level. Menin is proposing making those rides free and expanding eligibility to those earning up to 300% of the poverty line.
Council members also discussed the possibility of automatic enrollment to increase participation among eligible residents.
The push comes as Mayor Zohran Mamdani has campaigned on free bus service, but many council members argue expanding Fair Fares would be more effective because it would benefit both bus and subway riders.
At Wednesday’s hearing, transit riders, advocates and Metropolitan Transportation Authority representatives testified and answered questions about the program.
A majority of the council supports expanding Fair Fares, according to officials.
“This will enable New Yorkers to build wealth, break cycles of poverty and support their families. I’m asking everyone to get behind this bill. All of our council members, all of our legislators, we want to thank everyone who is already behind this,” said Bishop Mitchell Taylor, CEO of Urban Upbound.
Economists with the Community Service Society estimate that one in five New Yorkers cannot afford subway or bus fare, including more than a third of low-income working mothers. Bus riders, on average, earn more than 20% less than subway riders.
Advocates said expanding Fair Fares would make transit more affordable for millions and reduce financial strain for workers who rely on buses and subways to reach jobs, school and medical care.
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