COUNCIL MEMBER YDANIS RODRIGUEZ RESPONDS TO FY18 BUDGET, REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR FAIR FARES
New York, NY --
Upon the passage of the NYC Budget for Fiscal Year 2018, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez issued this statement reaffirming support for the Fair Fares initiative to provide half-priced Metrocards for those in the deepest poverty.
"While there are many things to be proud of in this budget, from right to legal counsel for tenants facing eviction and immigrants facing deportation, I lament that we were not able to come to an agreement to support poverty-stricken New Yorkers struggling to pay for public transportation.
"Nearly one million residents in our great city are living below the poverty line and are forced into tough decisions when it comes to paying a subway or bus fare and putting food on the table for their families. For those that choose to jump the turnstile because they can't afford a ride, they put themselves at risk of entering the criminal justice system, or, if undocumented, at risk of deportation.
"For these reasons, I remain committed to fighting for Fair Fares going forward. This is not the end of this push. There are far too many in need and we will not forget them. This campaign, started by Riders Alliance and Community Service Society, struck a major chord in our city and the effort has resonated far and wide. I want to thank them and the many coalition partners who pushed this issue so strongly and galvanized the support of so many. I also want to thank my colleagues in the Council and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for their support of this initiative. It is my sincere hope that we will see success in the very near future because far too many cannot afford not to."
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