Press Release
Statement By David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society and MTA Board Member, on Expansion of Fair Fares
The expansion of New York City's Fair Fares program from 150 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty level is a significant win for New Yorkers who depend on public transit to get to work and meet their daily needs.
By extending eligibility to an estimated 1.3 million working-age residents, Mayor Mamdani, Speaker Menin, and the New York City Council have made transportation more affordable for hundreds of thousands of additional New Yorkers. Approximately 45 percent of those newly eligible are regular commuters, meaning this investment will lower their transit costs, help them keep more of their paychecks, and stay connected to economic opportunity.
Alongside Riders Alliance, the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC), other advocates, and elected officials, the Community Service Society has long championed Fair Fares. Our research has consistently shown that the program helps people get to work, school, medical appointments, and other places they need to go while making it easier to afford basic necessities like housing and food.
The Mayor put it best during a City Hall press conference announcing the budget agreement: “No one should be priced out of exploring their own city.” We couldn’t agree more.
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The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. We power change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. By expanding access to health care, affordable housing, employment opportunities, debt assistance, and more, we make a tangible difference in the lives of millions. Join us at www.cssny.org.