MTA encourages more New Yorkers to sign up for 50% off rides with Fair Fares program
NEW YORK -- The MTA expanded eligibility for the Fair Fares program, which offers a 50% discount on rides to low-income New Yorkers.
The MTA's customer service team fanned out across the five boroughs Thursday to help riders sign up for the expanded program.
"Our fare is $2.90. Our customers who qualify can get a fare that allows them to pay only $1.40," said NYC Transit President Richard Davey.
To qualify, riders must be 18 to 64 years old and meet income requirements.
For example, members of a single household making less than $18,000 per year and a four-person household making less than $38,000 per year can qualify.
"They also have the option to sign up for reduced fare price for Access-A-Ride," said Christopher Greif, a community outreach officer.
New Yorkers who already receive benefits have a simple sign-up process, as the program is backed by the city's department of social services.
"It's really simple. It's your name, it's your address, it's some simple income information to show that you qualify," said Jill Berry, first deputy commissioner at the Department of Social Services.
Click here to learn more about the sign-up process.
Officials said 325,000 people were signed up before this latest campaign, but at least 1 million more are eligible.
"Increasing the income threshold last year, and we're hoping that we'll increase it even further this year," said Lisa Daglian, of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA.
"We think there's at least over a million folks who are qualified. Our goal at MTA is to work with the city to make sure that folks know about the program," said Davey.
The MTA hopes the program helps reduce fare evasion.
"If folks know that they're entitles to or can sign up for a discount, we think obviously folks are more likely to pay," said Davey.