Res. No. 1069
Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to allow seniors and disabled persons to also receive fare discounts on express buses during rush hours, between the hours of 6 am to 10 am and between 3 pm and 7 pm on Monday through Friday.
By Council Members Rose, Rivera, Nelson, Barron, Brewer, Cabrera, Chin, Dickens, Dromm, Gentile, Gonzalez, Jackson, James, Koslowitz, Mealy, Mendez, Palma, Recchia Jr., Vann, Williams, Halloran, Koo and Ulrich
Whereas, Currently eligible seniors, those 65 and older, and disabled persons can ride the local bus and subway for the half price fare any time of the day; and
Whereas, However, seniors and people with disabilities are not eligible for the half price fare on express bus service during rush hours; and
Whereas, With recent changes to cut door to door service and to increase Access-A-Ride's feeder service to and from fixed routes, it is crucial that seniors and people with disabilities have access to alternative forms of transportation; and
Whereas, Many seniors and people with disabilities live on a fixed income, and those on Social Security and Social Security Supplemental Income have not received a cost-of-living adjustment in their benefits in the past two years; and
Whereas, Bus and subway fares increased twice in the past three years, and according to the Transportation Nation website, transportation costs in New York City are outpacing overall inflation; and
Whereas, The lack of rush hour discounted fares discourages some seniors and people with disabilities from being more active; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to allow seniors and disabled persons to also receive fare discounts on express buses during rush hours, between the hours of 6 am to 10 am and between 3 pm and 7 pm on Monday through Friday.
LS# 2751
8/24/2011
GZ