New York City could offer free transit fares to more than 760,000 low-income seniors and people with disabilities for $67 million a year, according to a report published by the city Independent Budget Office on Thursday.
The cost may seem high — but it’s less than the $95 million the city budgeted this fiscal year for its Fair Fares program, which offers half-priced MetroCards to New Yorkers under the age of 65 whose income is less than 120% of the federal poverty line.
The IBO’s report looked at the cost to expand Fair Fares and to make rides free for subway, bus and Access-A-Ride trips for seniors and disabled people who make less than 200% of the federal poverty line, which is $30,120 a year for one-person households. All New Yorkers over the age of 65 and those with disabilities already qualify for 50% fare discounts through the MTA’s Reduced-Fare program, regardless of their income.
“Because eligibility for the MTA’s Reduced-Fare MetroCard Program currently makes one ineligible for Fair Fares, nearly all of these 762,000 New Yorkers would be new participants in Fair Fares, and their trips would represent a new city expense for Fair Fares,” the report states.
The report estimates that half of those who are eligible for the hypothetical free rides would sign up.
Sign-up rates are even lower for the city’s Fair Fares program. Although it’s available to an estimated 900,000 New Yorkers, only around 315,000 people are enrolled, according to data published by the city’s Human Resources Administration.
Danny Pearlstein, a spokesperson for the transit advocacy group Riders Alliance, said the idea would change lives and is worth the $67 million annual cost.
“Building on Fair Fares, both with broader eligibility and deeper affordability, will make it easier for low-income New Yorkers to make ends meet,” Pearlstein said in an email. “As Mayor Adams and Speaker Adams negotiate the next City budget, riders urge our leaders to prioritize expanded access to…
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