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Mass Transit as an Economic Equalizer: The Case for Expanding and Investing in Fair Fares
Debipriya Chatterjee, Irene Lew, Emerita Torres
Summary:
Fair Fares NYC, a program that provides a 50 percent discount on subway and eligible bus fares for New York City residents living at or below the federal poverty level (FPL), is a critical lifeline to education, employment, medical care and other basic necessities for low-income New Yorkers. But the program’s allocation was slashed by 62 percent during the pandemic, and the partially restored funding for FY 2022 ($53 million) is still just half of the original allocation.
Our mass transit system can be our city’s great economic equalizer, an engine for upward mobility, and is a key to jumpstarting an inclusive recovery. Young people trying to enter the workforce and displaced workers seeking jobs across the five boroughs will greatly benefit from reduced transit costs. Yet analysis of data from our 2021 Unheard Third (UHT) survey—the longest running scientific survey of low-income communities in the nation—found that many eligible New Yorkers are not aware of Fair Fares. It is more important than ever to strengthen Fair Fares and ensure eligible New Yorkers are enrolled.
Issues: Economic Mobility & Security, The Unheard Third, Workforce
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