NYLPI and nine peer disability rights organizations wrote to Governor Cuomo and Mayor DeBlasio this week to oppose a 9% fare increase on city buses and subways that would have unfairly impacted people with disabilities who use Access-A-Ride. Many Access-A-Ride riders already struggle to pay the fare and must put up with the worst service in the transit system.

In response to our advocacy, the MTA rejected the fare increase this week. MTA Chair Thomas Prendergast credited Access-A-Ride advocates for influencing the decision, noting that the impact on the Access-A-Ride fare was “absolutely” a factor in the decision.

See the Daily News’ coverage of our advocacy:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-nixes-plans-3-base-fare-costs-article-1.2955331

Ruth Lowenkron, Director of the Disability Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, stated: “NYLPI appreciates the fair fare. The budget cannot be balanced on the backs of persons with disabilities.”