Fair Fares Program Faces Criticism for Strict Income Limits: A New Report Proposes Doubling EligibilityThe Fair Fares program, offering half-price transit in New York City, is under fire for its stringent income requirements. A study by the Regional Plan Association reveals that the programs eligibility threshold is lower than most similar initiatives nationwide. Currently, only about 1.4 million New Yorkers qualify, despite many working individuals, even those earning minimum wage, barely making the cut.David Jones, president of the Community Service Society and MTA board member, advocates for raising the income limit. A new report suggests increasing eligibility to three hundred percent of the federal poverty level, which would nearly double the number of eligible New Yorkers to nearly 2.8 million. This expansion would cost minimal compared to the citys overall budget and the programs allocated funds.Under the proposed changes, a single person could earn almost $47,000 and a family of four could earn over $96,000 to qualify. The report also recommends automatic enrollment for those receiving other social services, making the program fully free for current participants, and extending it to express buses and CityTicket. These changes aim to make public transit more accessible and affordable for a broader range of New Yorkers.

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