Campaign Calls for Half-Priced Metrocards for Low-Income New Yorkers

There is growing support for "Fair Fares," a campaign calling for reduced metrocard fares for low income New Yorkers. Fair Fares launched 6 months ago, but today it announced that 30 elected officials from across New York City have joined in the effort. The campaign also polled New Yorkers, and found 73% of respondents said they would favor the program.

Under the proposal, adult New Yorkers living at or below the federal poverty line would qualify for half-price metrocards. Advocates are calling on Mayor De Blasio to include funding for the program in his 2018 Executive Budget. The price tag is expected to be about $200 million a year.

Danna Dennis is a volunteer with the Riders Alliance, one of the groups behind the campaign. For her, paying for subway fare is a constant struggle.

"Even with the amount that I make, which is $10/hr., after taxes are cut I can barely afford to pay rent, pay for groceries; and a metrocard should just be the least of my worries," Dennis said.

The campaign estimates people like Dennis would save $700 a year with reduced fare cards.