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Will City Approve Half-Priced Metrocards for Poor New Yorkers?

The City finally is considering a new initiative that may make riding the subway every day slightly less god-awful.
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The City finally is considering a new initiative that may make riding the subway every day slightly less god-awful.

The proposal would allow anyone between the age of 18 and 64 living below the federal poverty line-- equivalent to an annual earning of $24,000 for a family of four-- to receive half-priced MetroCards-- that is, $1.35 for a $2.75 one-way ride.

The idea-- known as the "Fair Fares" campaign-- was first floated to Mayor Bill de Blasio in April 2016 by the Riders Alliance, NYC Controller Scott Stringer and Public Advocate Letitia James. Similar successful income-based discounts for transit programs have been implemented in Seattle and San Francisco.

"This city relies on public transportation, and yet too often New Yorkers are forced to choose between going to work putting food on the table," James said in a New York Times article.

In addition, a poll conducted by the Community Service Society (CSS) revealed that 73 percent of those surveyed were in favor of the low-cost MetroCard and 62 percent said that they would be more likely to vote for a mayoral candidate that backed the proposal.

The plan would impact around 800,000 New Yorkers, saving each participant about $700 annually and would be especially helpful once subway fare goes up to $3 in 2017.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he would "evaluate the plan," according to a spokesperson in his office.



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