Traffic and Transit

More low-income New Yorkers will be able to get 50 percent discounts on bus and train fares through the program Fair Fares or “Fair Fares”as announced by Mayor Eric Adams this Friday.

“Fair Fares is a vital program for our working families and I am proud to announce that we are making it even more accessible.

“We are investing $20 million to expand eligibility so more New Yorkers can use these transportation discounts,” Mayor Eric Adams wrote in a social media message.

Fair Fares is a vital program for our working families and I’m proud to announce we’re making it even more accessible.

We’re investing $20 million to expand eligibility so more New Yorkers can utilize these transit discounts.

🚌🚇➡️ pic.twitter.com/ySR6v7oUfO

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) December 15, 2023

The news brings joy to New Yorkers like Rosa Gamboa, a mother of four who now says she is interested in being part of this program.

“Well, first I think it would be a saving, right. I think it would be something good for all the people we work with and, in any case, the ticket would be a good option,” Gamboa said.

Mayor Adams, along with other municipal officials, reported that they will invest $20 million so that more people benefit from the ‘Fair Fares’ program.

The administration has increased the income limit to qualify from 100% to 120% of the federal poverty level.

This means that previously, a family of four earning more than $26,000 a year did not qualify, but may now be eligible as the limit has been raised to $30,000 annually for a family of four.

Users like Jessica Jauregui say that she would like to be part of this program but that she is not eligible because the limit is still too low.

“Even if one earns very little, imagine having to put in a quarter and if one earns more, a family of four is an apartment and they are at 2,200, 2,500 so I think it should not be like that because 30 thousand, imagine, almost no one is going to apply because you have to earn more to be able to survive here, New York is very expensive,” said Jauregui.

With this increase in funding, the Fair Fares program will reach 95 million annually starting in fiscal year 2024.

Activists defending public transportation users demand that the mayor increase it to at least 200% above the federal poverty level, to benefit even more New Yorkers.

“This increase in eligibility is a step forward in allowing more New Yorkers to access half-price cards, but unfortunately it does not fully address the socioeconomic problem of our community and falls short of alleviating the financial burden of many,” Mayra Mayra Aldás, from Riders Allience, said in a statement.

For more information about the program, you can dial the municipal line 311 or visit the website of Fair Fares where the requirements for the benefit are and how to request it. Currently there are more than 300 thousand people enrolled in the program.

2023-12-15 16:57:00
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