Distributed by NYC Newswire
The Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit (PEU) and the Department of Social Services (DSS) hosted a press conference on Friday, August 12 at Albee Square in Brooklyn to celebrate an outreach day of action across subway stations citywide to promote the Fair Fares NYC program, following two weeks of targeted outreach to eligible New Yorkers via text and phone. Please note that Commissioner Rodriguez gives part of his remarks in Spanish and Synthia Jahan gives part of her remarks in Bangla, reminding all New Yorkers that, regardless of their immigration status and the languages spoken, they can be eligible for Fair Fares NYC.
Speakers at the press conference included Councilmember Crystal Hudson, State Senator Jabari Brisport, State Assembly Member Jo Ann Simon, Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Department of Social Services First Deputy Commissioner Jill Berry, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Regina Myer, Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit Executive Director Adrienne Lever, and CUNY Career Launch Intern Synthia Jahan. The event was held in partnership with NYC Small Business Services and featured tabling with City agencies, including PEU, HRA Fair Fares, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, and IDNYC.
“There are so many resources in New York City but it can be difficult to know where to turn to access them. That’s why our team at the Public Engagement Unit is knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending text messages, and organizing amazing community events to make sure we get the word out and help connect people to the benefits and resources they need,” said PEU Executive Director Adrienne Lever.
“Public transport is a lifeline for everyday New Yorkers and I am a proud subway rider,” said Department of Social Services First Deputy Commissioner Jill Berry. “At the Department of Social Services, we are committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers have equal access to the resources and services our great City has to offer, and the Fair Fares program is absolutely essential to our efforts to do so.”
“Fair Fares for me is in my heart,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “As the Commissioner of Transportation, it’s a great honor to be here. Let’s be sure that the 600,000 people who qualify for Fair Fares but are not yet in the program start the process.”
“This is a city where we can attend college, start our career, and pursue our dreams – our goals, thanks to Fair Fares,” said CUNY Career Launch Intern Synthia Jahan. “Fair Fares helped those in my family who needed it most at that time.”
Currently, more than a quarter of a million New Yorkers receive the reduced-fare Metro Card benefit, saving New Yorkers more than $50 million by contributing an equal share to ridership for those low-income individuals in need. Yet, many more New Yorkers still qualify and need to enroll. That’s why PEU has been working with Fair Fares to reach hundreds of thousands of these New Yorkers on their phones to support them in enrolling.
If you think you or someone you know might be eligible, go to nyc.gov/FairFares to learn more.
About Fair Fares
Fair Fares NYC is a City program created to help New Yorkers with low incomes manage their transportation costs. Using the Fair Fares NYC MetroCard, eligible New York City residents receive a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares or MTA Access-A-Ride paratransit trips. Pay-per-Ride, weekly unlimited, and monthly unlimited options are all available. Fair Fares can also provide 50% off MTA Access-A-Ride paratransit trips. Pay-Per-Ride, 7-Day (Weekly) and 30-Day (Monthly) Unlimited Ride options are all available for those using the Fair Fares MetroCard on subways and eligible buses. Access-A-Ride customers do not use a Fair Fares NYC MetroCard; their discount is applied automatically to their Access-A-Ride trips once their Fair Fares and Access-A-Ride accounts are linked.
Fair Fares NYC applications are open to eligible New Yorkers, ages 18-64, at or below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Subway and eligible bus discounts are open to New Yorkers who don’t have (and aren’t eligible for) discounted transportation from the MTA or the City. If you meet the Fair Fares NYC eligibility criteria, you may still be eligible for the Fair Fares NYC discount on Access-A-Ride fares if you also are in the MTA reduced-fare Program for persons with disability or have an Access-A-Ride MetroCard.
Use the Fair Fares NYC self-assessment tool and apply online
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