Story:
NYC (3/17/2010) - The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has decided to put off the vote on whether to eliminate free and discounted MetroCards for city students. So your free metro is safe for a little longer.MTA boss Jay Walder made the announcement Wednesday night while meeting with dozens of students.
"I also want to take away any confusion about whether or not this will be dealt with at the board meeting on March 24th. There is no need to deal with it at the board meeting on March 24th," Walder said. "We'd like to leave additional time, as much time as possible for discussion with the city and the state."
Many students who attended the meeting say they cannot afford to pay for MetroCards and want the city, state and MTA to come up with a solution.
"We want the state and the city to bring new revenue sources that can keep flowing in and this is for the broader budget," said one student.
The agency says it's struggling to close a nearly $800 million budget gap and simply can't afford the $214 million it costs to give students free MetroCards.
"We can no longer cover for the state and the city in regard to these free student fares. Free student fares should be a city and a state responsibility," Walder said.
When asked about the fate of student MetroCards Wednesday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city is already giving money. He said that it is the state's fault, that the state government has to give the MTA more money.
So the MTA is blaming the city and the state. The City is blaming the state. And the state is not answering to anybody because they have their own problems.
Questions:
Questions:
1) Where did this story take place?
2) When did this story take place?
3) Who is the MTA boss?
4) What did the MTA boss say about the student metro cards?
5) Who is blaming who for the metrocard situation?
6) How much does it cost to give the students free metros?
Info and video from NY1
1 comment:
The MTA, city, and state governments all have to step up and take some responsibility for their actions. It's really getting out of hand. If student MetroCards are cut, then there's going to be complete chaos all over New York City.
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