You Told Us is a regular feature in which we highlight comments from users in the communities DNAinfo New York covers.
UPPER EAST SIDE — Readers had mixed feelings about a recent push for half-priced MetroCards for low-income New Yorkers.
A group advocating for the cause gathered outside of Hunter College last week, gathering signatures on a petition and snapping photos of students who say they've had to choose between paying for a MetroCard and buying groceries.
Roughly 18 percent, or 40,000, City University of New York students live below the federal poverty line — or an annual income of $10,000 or less, according to a 2014 CUNY student experience survey.
Readers weighed in on Neighborhood Square:
► "I sacrificed a lot to go to school. That's when I gave up smoking and walked everywhere that I could. I was considering giving up my dog. I never thought I was entitled to special treatment because I was poor. I just did my best to get out of that situation. I especially made sure I did not have children," wrote maxthecat.
Others had a more supportive outlook:
► "Great idea! Let's include the inner suburbs as well. Many low-income folks are getting pushed out of the city into these communities, so we need to make sure their now longer commutes are still affordable," said hamtech87.
► "I think it's ridiculous having to choose paying for subway rides & not being able to eat. WTF IS WRONG HERE!!!!!" wrote jolopez.
► "I can afford my MetroCard and it is not a great inconvenience for me to buy one, especially since I get it tax free. But lower income residents don't typically get the same tax breaks that most of us get through our employers. I also pay less for each subway ride I take because I pay for it up front, which many lower income people cannot. Then add the lower income people who have to take 2 buses and a subway to get to work, and bow they are paying $5.50 per trip because they cant afford the unlimited. So, in addition to half price cards, the MTA should also grant unlimited transfers within the 2 hour period that they grant one with a MetroCard. And worse, if someone has to pay their fare with cash on a bus, they have to pay a second time to get on the subway, because bus transfers don't work in the subway. Way to stick it to the little guy, MTA!" said WalksBikesDrives.
