Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson announced today that over 100,000 New Yorkers have enrolled in the City’s Fair Fares initiative, marking a major milestone since the initiative’s inception. This milestone is met during the first phase of Fair Fares, representing more than 50% of the take-up rate after targeting more than 180,000 New Yorkers.
“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to choose between a ride on the subway or bus and putting food on the table for their family,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Over 100,000 New Yorkers have now enrolled in the Fair Fares program, bringing us one step closer to our goal of being the fairest big city in America.”
“This 100,000 landmark enrollment news shows we are heading in the right direction and closer to assisting all low-income New Yorkers in need. We could not have made it here without the partnership with advocates like Community Service Society and Riders Alliance, and I thank them for all their efforts. Together, we look forward to building on this progress as we approach the launch of open enrollment on January 27th so we can assist as many New Yorkers in poverty as possible,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson.
“New Yorkers depend on access to transportation to lead healthy lives, and each of the enrollments in this Fair Fares milestone represents a life changed for the better,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Raul Perea-Henze. “As we celebrate this achievement, we look forward to open enrollment later this month and the promise it holds to improve the health and well-being of more New Yorkers by connecting them to jobs, services, and the broader community.”
“More than 100,000 low-income New Yorkers can now afford to take the bus or train to work, classes, health care and home to their kids at night. We celebrate this milestone as the city prepares to open enrollment to all eligible city residents at or below poverty, removing a significant barrier to upward mobility for hundreds of thousands more. And we applaud the leadership of Speaker Johnson, the City Council and Mayor de Blasio for making New York a more just and equitable city,” said David R. Jones, President and CEO of Community Service Society, an anti-poverty group that first proposed half-fare discounts and advocated for the program along with the Riders Alliance and a broad coalition.
“Fair Fares is changing the lives of one hundred thousand New Yorkers! For me, it’s lifted a weight off my shoulders. Making ends meet is tough enough as a working mother and part-time student. Reaching 100,000 people enrolled in Fair Fares means that more New Yorkers like me have one less thing we have to worry about every month. And as we look forward to open enrollment, I’m excited to see how many more lives this program we fought for will help,” said Clementine James, Riders Alliance member who is also enrolled in Fair Fares.
Last month, the City announced the launch of a multi-million dollar campaign to ensure eligible New Yorkers are aware of the Fair Fares initiative and encourage them to enroll. The City also announced that open enrollment of the program will begin on January 27th.
Currently, eligible New Yorkers can opt-in by going to www.nyc.gov/fairfares and following the link to enroll now. They can also visit the nearest Fair Fares NYC location or call 311 for assistance.
Photo credit: Corey Johnson.
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