Push to fund discounted MetroCards

A MAJORITY of the City Council wants Mayor de Blasio to fund half-price MetroCards for low-income New Yorkers, groups pushing the discount program said at City Hall on Wednesday.

The 27 lawmakers, as well as Public Advocate Letitia James and city Controller Scott Stringer, now support putting money for the roughly $200 million discount fare program proposed by the Riders Alliance and Community Service Society into the next budget.

“The cost of our public transportation system can be a severe burden for a growing number of New Yorkers,” said Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Manhattan), who chairs the Transportation Committee.

With fares potentially increasing to $3 a swipe next year, the Community Service Society, an anti-poverty group, put out a poll showing that 62% of New Yorkers said they would be more likely to back a candidate who proposes to cut transit costs for struggling commuters.