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The first phase of what was to be a sweeping plan to provide half-priced subway and bus rides to the poorest New Yorkers arrived on Friday, a few days late and many people short.
If the plan had been presented last year as a major change in the lives of those struggling to make ends meet in New York City, the reality, announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio and Corey Johnson, the City Council speaker, is far less than anticipated: Only 30,000 New Yorkers — those who already receive cash assistance from the city and are employed — will be eligible for the cards starting this month.
The pool of eligible New Yorkers would expand in April to about 130,000 people who receive federal food stamps and are working, Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Johnson said — still a far cry from the 800,000 New Yorkers estimated by advocates to live below the federal poverty line of $25,000 a year for a family of four.
The city has no mechanism for people to apply for the discounts; only those who receive cash benefits or food stamps can get the half-priced MetroCards.
A sticking point had been both logistical and ideological: Could the city, which would administer the program, provide the discount for pay-per-ride MetroCards, or just for those that provide unlimited use for a week or 30 days? Antipoverty advocates argued that the program would be much more useful to low-income riders if the pay-per-ride card was included.
A spokesman for the Community Service Society of New York said the antipoverty group was pleased the mayor was finally taking the first step toward providing half priced MetroCards for all New Yorkers below poverty. “But talk doesn’t get you through the turnstiles,” the spokesman, Jeffrey N. Maclin, said. “We’re concerned about who is left out of this initial rollout. Most importantly, we want to see the timeline for the full program that was promised last June.”
The initial launch will include only the half-priced unlimited cards, priced at $16 for a week, or $60.50 for the 30 days. City officials were working with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to add the pay-per-ride option in April, Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Johnson said.
Originally planned for a start date of Jan. 1, the program officially began on Friday, a blown deadline that Mr. de Blasio seemed to casually dismiss in a radio interview earlier in the day.
For eligible New Yorkers, getting the discounted MetroCards will be a two-step process: They must go to designated offices to pick up the special cards. Then, they must add money to them at MetroCard vending machines, which will be programmed to charge half-price.
The city budgeted $106 million to cover the expense of the first fiscal year of the program, though Mr. de Blasio has promised to fully fund the program to meet demand. Any leftover funds would be rolled over to cover costs next year, he said.
"Originally planned for a start date of Jan. 1, the program officially began on Friday, a blown deadline that Mr. de Blasio seemed to casually dismiss in a radio interview earlier in the day."
The pool of eligible New Yorkers would expand in April to about 130,000 people who receive federal food stamps and are working, Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Johnson said — still a far cry from the 800,000 New Yorkers estimated by advocates to live below the federal poverty line of $25,000 a year for a family of four.
Why would you provide transportation discounts to people who are not working? Where are they going? They should sit at home and play xbox like the unproductive meat sacks with eyes that they are.
Why would you provide transportation discounts to people who are not working? Where are they going? They should sit at home and play xbox like the unproductive meat sacks with eyes that they are.
Why would you provide transportation discounts to people who are not working? Where are they going? They should sit at home and play xbox like the unproductive meat sacks with eyes that they are.
I assume it would be to help the unemployed and low income workers to get around to find more income sources?!
All this at a time when the subway system is falling apart and the rest of the city gets a fare hike. You folks wanted liberalism/Democrats, now you've got it.
What is this? MTA saying they short of money, and the mayor giving out ride for half price. Meanwhile, you have these half price riders occupying two seats or more for the price of ones passenger. This is so stupid....
The first phase of what was to be a sweeping plan to provide half-priced subway and bus rides to the poorest New Yorkers arrived on Friday, a few days late and many people short.
If the plan had been presented last year as a major change in the lives of those struggling to make ends meet in New York City, the reality, announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio and Corey Johnson, the City Council speaker, is far less than anticipated: Only 30,000 New Yorkers — those who already receive cash assistance from the city and are employed — will be eligible for the cards starting this month.
The pool of eligible New Yorkers would expand in April to about 130,000 people who receive federal food stamps and are working, Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Johnson said — still a far cry from the 800,000 New Yorkers estimated by advocates to live below the federal poverty line of $25,000 a year for a family of four.
The city has no mechanism for people to apply for the discounts; only those who receive cash benefits or food stamps can get the half-priced MetroCards.
A sticking point had been both logistical and ideological: Could the city, which would administer the program, provide the discount for pay-per-ride MetroCards, or just for those that provide unlimited use for a week or 30 days? Antipoverty advocates argued that the program would be much more useful to low-income riders if the pay-per-ride card was included.
A spokesman for the Community Service Society of New York said the antipoverty group was pleased the mayor was finally taking the first step toward providing half priced MetroCards for all New Yorkers below poverty. “But talk doesn’t get you through the turnstiles,” the spokesman, Jeffrey N. Maclin, said. “We’re concerned about who is left out of this initial rollout. Most importantly, we want to see the timeline for the full program that was promised last June.”
The initial launch will include only the half-priced unlimited cards, priced at $16 for a week, or $60.50 for the 30 days. City officials were working with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to add the pay-per-ride option in April, Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Johnson said.
Originally planned for a start date of Jan. 1, the program officially began on Friday, a blown deadline that Mr. de Blasio seemed to casually dismiss in a radio interview earlier in the day.
For eligible New Yorkers, getting the discounted MetroCards will be a two-step process: They must go to designated offices to pick up the special cards. Then, they must add money to them at MetroCard vending machines, which will be programmed to charge half-price.
The city budgeted $106 million to cover the expense of the first fiscal year of the program, though Mr. de Blasio has promised to fully fund the program to meet demand. Any leftover funds would be rolled over to cover costs next year, he said.
You raised the minimum wage to $15 an hour ($30,000 a year/40 hr. work week).
With the swipe of a pen you can now declare that all on the book working New Yorkers are no longer living in poverty.
So that leaves us with those making under $24,000 a year. You have set aside $106 million for 1/2 metrocard costs.
Did this money come from the two fold increase on my property taxes for year ending 2018?
Do you really think this is going to encourage the non working to hop on the bus or train to look for employment?
The turnout speaks volumes.
You just gave away free swipes there Billy.
Looking forward to the hoods at the turnstile. Time to get back some of the property taxes you stole from me.
Last edited by Mr.Retired; 01-05-2019 at 01:15 PM..
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