For thousands of New Yorkers, getting a discounted MetroCard is about to get a lot easier – the city made it easy to apply for the Fair Fares program, which offers MetroCards at half price to anyone who qualifies.
The program was first implemented in 2019, but was initially only available to about 30,000 New Yorkers whose incomes were at or below the federal poverty line. The first New Yorkers to benefit were receiving cash assistance or SNAP benefits from the city.
But the program has gradually expanded since then and now NYCHA residents, CUNY students and veterans qualify at 100 percent or below the poverty line.
In October, enrollment in the Fair Fares program reached a record 255,000 New Yorkers, according to an MTA report.
WHAT IS THE FAIR FARES PROGRAM?
The Fair Fares program, a collaboration between the City Council and the Mayor’s Office, offers low-income New Yorkers a 50 percent discount on MetroCards, both pay-per-ride and unlimited weekly and monthly. A one-way trip would be reduced from $ 2.75 to approximately $ 1.38, the weekly unlimited from $ 33 to $ 16.50, and the unlimited monthly from $ 127 to $ 63.50.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE PROGRAM?
All New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, between the ages of 18 and 64 who do not currently receive a discounted MetroCard through another city program, who do not receive a full automobile ticket from a city agency, and whose Family income is at or below the specific limits of the poverty line.
HERE IS BREAKDOWN THE INCOME LIMIT.
If you are within the specified income levels, you will be asked to apply on the HRA website. Once you are there, you may be required to upload specific documentation to prove your identity, age, and income. Once the application has been submitted and all documents have been uploaded, the city will process it within 30 days. You can log in to the HRA website to check the status of your application.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Once accepted, program participants will receive a special Fair Fares MetroCard in the mail with no value or time. Once you fill up with a value and slide through the turnstile, you will automatically charge half the normal single-ride metro fare. For example, if a person adds $ 10, by swiping the card at the turnstile or at the bus fare box, they will be charged half the price of a single ride, about $ 1.38.
If participants choose to add time to the card, such as with an unlimited weekly or monthly pass, they will be asked to pay half of what they normally cost (for example, $ 16.50 for the weekly and $ 63.50 for the monthly).
To add value or time to a card, participants can use cash, a debit or credit card, or an EBT card.
For more details, consult this very complete guide to the city.
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