A leading state lawmaker said he’s “optimistic” MetroCards will remain free for NYC students this fall.
“We’re not far apart in terms of available monies and that’s cause for optimism,” said Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, who chairs the committee that oversees the MTA. “I think there’s a lot of good will here.”
Brodsky said MTA Chairman Jay Walder called him in the past few weeks and was “very thoughtful and knowledgeable” discussing the threatened rail passes.
“These kids and their families desperately need this. The MTA gets that we don’t want to put students in the middle of an understandable fight about funding … these kids aren’t pawns in that battle,” said Brodsky.
Hundreds of students from around the city walked out of their schools Friday to protest the pending cuts. The MTA board will vote at the end of this month on eliminating the free MetroCards.
