Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Fare Hikes

Student MetroCards: Albany Offers Nothing, MTA Folds, Riders Lose

kids_metro_cards__300x300.jpgStudent straphangers got a reprieve today, but without a real commitment from Albany to shore up MTA finances, their victory comes at others' expense. Photo: New York Post

"Deal Saves Student Metrocards" proclaims the New York Times. "Ride on!" blares the Post. There's just one catch: There isn't really a deal.

Despite the sunny headlines trumpeting the likely end of this year's student straphanger saga, in reality Albany didn't give a dollar in new funding to transit, and while student MetroCards are safe for now, the money to fund them will come at the cost of another hundred million in service cuts, fare hikes, or both, for other transit riders. 

Here's the so-called deal, as first reported in the Post. New York State will contribute $25 million towards student transit, the city will chip in $45 million, and the MTA is on the hook for the remaining $144 million. The passage of the bus cam bill, it turns out, was another chit in the negotiation. Finally, the state permitted the MTA to raise its debt ceiling, allowing the agency's plans for construction and repair to move forward, funded by bonds on fares and tolls. 

Recall that Governor Paterson had already offered $25 million for student transit in January. Back then, such a measly sum was considered the first step in the elimination of student passes and spurred widespread protests. The city has been chipping in the same $45 million since 1995, the time of the original student MetroCard arrangement -- and with the total cost of the program steadily increasing, that equates to a smaller city contribution each year. Today's "deal" is the same offer that's been on the table for months.

What changed is that the MTA caved, accepting bus cams as a consolation prize. Cutting student MetroCards, the agency's strongest bargaining chip, was exposed as empty threat. The fight over student fares was a game of brinkmanship between Albany and the MTA, and the MTA blinked.

And if student MetroCards are preserved without a new dime from either the state or the city, the money can only come from one place: riders. That's another $144 million in service cuts, $144 million in increased fares, or some combination of the two.

For today, students scored a hard-fought win. But a real victory would have the state and city pick up more than a fraction of the cost of transit to school; after all, they pay the full tab for bloated school bus costs. A real victory would have the state stop stealing dedicated funds from the MTA (any bets on how much goes missing in the coming budget?).

But rather than actually investing in transit, the state and city have again simply shuffled the remaining scraps of public funding among different groups of riders.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Cyclist: Cop Pulled a Taser During Summons Chase

In a dramatic escalation of the NYPD's criminal crackdown on bike riders, a police officer pulled a stun gun while chasing a cyclist for allegedly running a red light on a regular bike.

May 30, 2025

Albany Pols Seize the Helm(et)

Helmet laws remain controversial — they're the "common-sense" approach pushed by lawmakers who ignore that studies show they don't improve safety.

May 30, 2025

Tisch Reveals Real Reason for Her E-Bike Crackdown: E-Bike Licensing

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch doubles down on her cycling criminalization campaign, saying e-bike licensing is the only other option.

May 30, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: A ‘Critical’ Moment Edition

Cyclists will protest against the NYPD's bike crackdown with a Critical Mass ride to City Hall on Friday. Plus more news.

May 30, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Astoria’s Big Beautiful 31st Avenue Bike Boulevard

Streetsblog paid a visit to New York City's widest on-street protected bike lane ever, which is up and running in Astoria.

May 30, 2025
See all posts