The Free Ride may be over for New York City school kids. Under a possible budget-saving measure, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority would charge students half-price fares next year and full fares starting in 2011.
Presently, about 550,000 schoolkids in New York City get free or discounted bus and subway passes under a program the state and city once fully funded.
We need to be heard. We need let our voices be heard.
By getting rid of the MTA Student Metro Cards, more students will be absent since parents from lower-income families won't be able to afford the transportation along with bills for electricity, and everyday costs. As a result, more students will get sick from being forced to walk to school in 20 degree weather, as well as 100 degree weather.
More students will cut. Absence rates will increase with the MTA getting rid of Student Metro Cards.
We need to protest the MTA getting rid of Student Metro Cards. This decision will definitely affect the eduction of most, if not all New York City school kids.
In a typical New York City Specialized High School, most students take up to 3 hours to get to school with buses and subway, in which there are no option for students to walk to school. If parents aren't able to afford for that student's transportation, they will have no choice but to cut school and stay at home.
The MTA faces critically important budget challenges. But we cannot look for fixes by hurting the most vulnerable.
We the undersigned,
We understand that MTA faces critically important budget challenges. But we cannot look for fixes by hurting the most vulnerable.
Presently, about 550,000 schoolkids in New York City get free or discounted bus and subway passes.
By deciding to remove free and discounted Student Metro Cards, the education of New York City schoolkids will be affected and the standards will be decreased.
More students will be absent from parents with lower-income. More students will get sick from students being forced to walk to school in blazing hot or freezing cold weather.
In some cases, 3 rides isn't even enough. In New York City Specialized High schools, some students take multiple trains and buses which in total, may take up to 3 hours by transit. But we deal with it, we try and find routes that take longer to get to school, but use less rides.
Please understand that we need these Student Metro Cards and they can not be lost.
Thank You for taking the time to read our letter and we hope you choose the right choice when making this decision.
