The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced yesterday that riders are now able to fill their MetroCards with unlimited-ride time in addition to pay-per-ride dollars. A new $1 surcharge on new card purchases will quickly follow, going into effect on March 3.
In addition, riders who carry unlimited cards will now be able to use them to take express buses and PATH trains, an added convenience for the everyday New York City traveler.
The $1 green fee gives a monetary incentive for people to aid the environment, encouraging commuters to reuse the one or two MetroCards they have rather than waste paper and contribute to the increasing amount of litter in subway stations.
For New Yorkers and NYU students especially, this change is good news. No longer do riders have to buy a new card when switching between pay-per-ride and unlimited. Even better, when the unlimited ride card expires, the remaining balance is left over towards the corresponding dollar value for individual swipes.
However, MTA fare hikes will also be going into effect, to the dismay of many New Yorkers and students living in New York City. Prices of bus and subway rides will bump up to $2.50 at 2 a.m. on March 3.
The public school system in New York City already subsidizes MetroCards for students in all five boroughs. Perhaps it would be too much of an economic burden for local city governments to extend this subsidy to college students, especially students at private universities. However, private universities like NYU should consider doing so for its students. Because of NYU’s unique and expansive campus, many students depend on public transportation and long commutes to get to class. The MetroCard fare increases will inevitably add to the hefty financial load NYU students will have when they graduate.
While a majority of these MTA changes are flexible and more efficient, many NYU students may begin to feel a dent in their pockets. Although local city governments might not have the funds and resources to aid students in regards to public transportation, large private institutions such as NYU, with tuition as high as it is, should reprioritize its budget in order to best meet the financial needs of their students, starting with the most obvious one — New York City transportation.
A version of this article appeared in the Thursday, Feb. 21 print edition. Email the WSN Editorial Board at [email protected].
