UsaNewsOnline.Com Desk, New York : "The inclusion of funding for the creation of a ‘fair fares’ discount MetroCard program in this year’s budget is a victory for the working poor, and I thank both New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson for making this proposal a top priority in his budget negotiations and Mayor Bill de Blasio for understanding the critical urgency of this proposal.

“Public transportation fares eat up large chunks of a family’s budget, and this initial commitment is on the right track. In partnership with advocates from all over the city, we have fought to make this proposal a reality for several years. I am glad to see City Hall and the New York City Council agreeing to fund reduced fare MetroCards for New Yorkers who most need them. I would especially like to thank Community Service Society and the Riders Alliance for keeping this issue in the forefront of the city’s conscious.

“However, let us not forget that we cannot settle, we must continue to find innovative ways to fund ‘fair fares’ in the future, in order to match the rising cost-of-living in our city,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Press Release.