Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
AGENCY TESTIMONY
Transportation costs as a hidden barrier for CUNY students
0:16:23
·
50 sec
Dzelika Daniel highlights the significant impact of transportation costs on CUNY students' ability to attend and persist in college.
- Annual cost of a 7-day weekly OmniFare card is $1,768
- Fair Fares program's income eligibility limitations
- Example of transportation costs for a family of four
- Emphasizes how commuting costs strain limited household budgets
Dzelika Daniel
0:16:23
Another major financial barrier often overlooked is transportation.
0:16:27
Considered a hidden cost when attending college, it may not be factored into direct cost of education since it's not included on a tuition bill.
0:16:34
But in New York City, the cost of commuting is $1,768 per year for a seven day weekly Omni fare card of $34.
0:16:42
Despite the fair fares programs expansion of income eligibility to a 45% of the federal poverty level, a family of four earning $50,000 per year would not qualify.
0:16:52
A 45% of the twenty twenty five federal poverty level is actually $46,617 for a family of four.
0:17:00
If all four family members work or attend college, their transportation costs will exceed $7,000 per year.
0:17:06
Commuting costs places an overwhelming strain on already limited household budgets but are essential to a student's ability to persist.