NYC Council, Riders Alliance want to expand city's discount subway, bus fare program
The New York City Council is looking to revamp the city's discount transit program.
The city-run Fair Fares Program currently discounts the cost of subways and buses by 50% for low-income riders who qualify, but the City Council wants to make transit free for program participants.
"One in five riders say that they struggle to afford the fare right now," Riders Alliance Deputy Director Caitlin Pearce said.
The City Council's budget proposal includes free fares for people making 150% under the federal poverty line, which Pearce said is about $24,000/year for a single person.
Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers said this option helps the city's poorest, but the plan is in the early stages.
"I'm hopeful ... that we will be able to expand the program in some way," she said. "What that looks like, it's going to really depend on the negotiations."
The City Council proposal is different from Mayor Zohran Mamdani's campaign promise to eliminate fares for all city buses.
In a statement, a City Hall spokesperson said, "Right now, the Mayor is primarily focused on addressing the fiscal deficit. That said, the Mamdani Administration is committed to working with our partners at the state and local level to make buses fast and free. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to make commutes faster and our transit system more affordable for all New Yorkers."
The grassroots organization Riders Alliance wants to expand the program even further by offering a 50% discount to people earning 300% under the federal poverty level.
"If you're an individual that's making under $47,000, you could access half-price fares," Pearce said.
Brooks-Powers said there will be a series of hearings on the city budget in May and June, and the public is welcome to weigh in on the proposed expansion of the Fair Fares Program.
In January, the MTA hiked subway and bus fares to $3, a 10-cent increase, citing that fares are key to providing safe and reliable service. CBS News New York reached out for an interview, but they did not respond.
