Councilman wants MetroCard fund for low-income New Yorkers

[xemu]

MetroStamps, UberStamps and GymStamps are long overdue.

[leoliu]

Originally Posted by xemu

MetroStamps, UberStamps and GymStamps are long overdue.

[BugsyPal]

This City Council has got to go. Over the past three years are just giving away everything... From feminine hygiene products to whatever else, and now they want to give away Metro Cards as well?


We need a movement to lower NYC taxes; take some of the money off the table so this some kind of mayor and city council can stop spending as if there is no tomorrow.

[Kefir King]

Originally Posted by mathjak107

with drivers getting hammered for most of the costs how about a fund to ease the pain of drivers in nyc . tolls , meters , registration are insane .

Indeed, perhaps issue free cyanide capsules to every driver?

[bklynkenny]

Originally Posted by Chava61

Perhaps employers should help pay the employees' fares back and fore from work rather than subsidize all MTA fares for poor people.

Employers are free to do that, just like how people would be free to donate in this situation.

[bklynkenny]

Originally Posted by BugsyPal

This City Council has got to go. Over the past three years are just giving away everything... From feminine hygiene products to whatever else, and now they want to give away Metro Cards as well?


We need a movement to lower NYC taxes; take some of the money off the table so this some kind of mayor and city council can stop spending as if there is no tomorrow.

Theyre not giving away MetroCards. They're asking people to donate MetroCards.

[bg7]

I'm fine with this. Its voluntary - I'd donate. I already often donate at the supermarket/pet store/drug store checkout by adding a dollar or two on my debit card for animal charities, children's charities, medical research etc. Lots of us do.
And unused journeys on cards already paid for... how can anyone object to that.

[NooYowkur81]

If it is a donation i'm okay with it. I think the fare is still affordable though so I would not have been in favor of it being directly subsidized.

[BrownstoneNY]

Originally Posted by BPt111

THE BRONX - A local lawmaker wants a donation-driven fund to help subsidize MetroCards for low-income New Yorkers.

Councilman Fernando Cabrera says a donation system would do the trick. He wants to give card buyers the option to contribute to those struggling to pay their fare. He introduced his plan to City Council last week.

In addition to soliciting donations when MetroCards are sold, the proposal would place money from unused, expired MetroCards in the fund. Cabrera says more than $50 million in cards go unused every year.


Councilmember Wants MetroCard Donation System To Benefit Low-Income Riders: Gothamist

He'd better have a way to make up the $50 million a year he'd be snatching out of the MTA's coffers to pay for this. Unused fares go to pay for service just as much as used fares and are a small but important part of the MTA's budget.

Otherwise, I guess it's harmless, but seems like something the city should be paying for, not donations.