Albany is continuing to fail New York City as a whole.
I cannot believe the idea of eliminating free and reduced fair metrocards for students’ is even on the table. The fair just went up early this fall, and now the discussion of eliminating metrocards for students is on the table. Unbelievable. It is now $5.50 for a round trip metrocard. That means two destinations and two destinations only. The idea of eliminating these cards is a problem on multiple levels.
Firstly, for families that have more than one child, that is a hefty additional bill to come out of their discretionary income. It is an estimated $1,500 annual expense per child. I do not even want to think about the expenses for a family of multiple children. New York City is already an extraordinarily expensive city to live in. The cost of living continues to rise while our salaries do not. This is a heavy financial burden. Secondly, what will students/families do when they cannot foot that Metrocard bill? Will they walk to school? Jump the turnstiles? Stay home? There will be a significant increase in truancy as well as turnstile hoppers. To risk having a criminal record to make it to school on time is ludicrous. One article I read said that we are the only state that funds their students way to school. That may be so, but we are also one of the most expensive cities to live in, with fewer and fewer local schools. The school system is changing drastically with the proliferation of charter schools across the five boroughs. Gone are the days where you walked a few blocks to attend the local school in your zip code. Thirdly? Students will LOSE their metrocards, as well as risk having them stolen. This is a sad reality. The frustration that parents and students will have to face because of theft and loss will spike the metrocard expense even higher.
I am completely in awe of this possible change. The main vote occurs tomorrow. I am completely disgusted with the MTA. First rate increases, then service cuts and now the possible loss of student metrocards. Who is our city really trying to benefit here? It is a sad day to live in NY.
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