Last week, we were thrilled with Governor Cuomo after he and Mayor de Blasio came in so hot supporting bringing Syrian refugees into the United States.
Now, he's vetoed a bill that would have saved a lot of strife for a lot of commuters, so we're feeling less excited on his leadership than we were early last week. But such is New York City. It's often a mixed bag, right?
The bill would have provided fare relief to commuters who have to take two buses and a train to reach their destination, according to the New York Post.
We're pretty sure anyone who has to take two buses and a train to get to work in the morning has a hard enough commute already, so could we just help them out?
According to Cuomo and the MTA, apparently not.
The measure, which would have increased the number of free transfers on some routes, passed through the state legislature with an overwhelming majority back in June.
Currently, MetroCards allow one free transfer between a subway and a bus, or between two buses during a two hour period.
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The bill that Cuomo just shot down would have made life immeasurably easier for riders who have to take two buses before reaching the subway, and are currently paying two fares.
The bill's sponsors, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz and Senator Martin Golden, clearly set out to help the 50,000 or so riders who are paying two fares on their commute.
Apparently the MTA couldn't spare the cost.
"The MTA estimates it would cost approximately $40 million annually to provide a second free transfer, yet the bill does not provide any funding to account for this expense," Cuomo wrote in his veto message.
"Such funding decisions should be addressed in the context of the state budget negotiations," Cuomo continued.

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The MTA also claimed that allowing a second free transfer would impose difficult technical issues. They claim the solution already exists in unlimited-ride MetroCards which allow multiple free transfers.
Dinowitz begs to differ with a fairly obvious point: the MTA is failing to consider those riders who can't afford spending the $116.50 at the beginning of the month for a monthly MetroCard.
"The MTA is not known for putting out accurate numbers. It's just not fair for people who, through no fault of their own, have to take three rides and are in a two-fare zone," Dinowitz said.
We commend Dinowitz's effort, and we've got to say we're pretty disappointed in Cuomo... for now at least, until the state budget negotiations. We wish he'd draw the money the MTA needs from sources that aren't people who have to take three rides to get to work every day.
But what we really wish is that Cuomo wouldn't enforce a system that ultimately penalizes the people of lower incomes for not being able to afford "luxuries" like monthly MetroCards outright at the beginning of the month.
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[via New York Post] [Feature Image Courtesy ExploreBK.com]
