BROOKLYN, N.Y. (WPIX)—
Over 100,000 New York City public school students walked out of their classrooms Monday in protest over the MTA's proposed plan to stop supplying them with MetroCards.The 'Day of Outrage Rally and Protest' was organized by several city leaders and asked students - with the permission of their parents - to gather outside of MTA's headquarters located on E. 44 St. And Madison Avenue around 2 p.m.
"The last thing we need is a higher truancy rate and more of our young folks hanging out on street corners because they did not have enough money to get to school thus leading to possibly more gun and gang violence," sid Community Advocate Anthony Herbert.
Currently, about 550,000 students, who use the cards to get to school, are given free or discounted bus and subway passes under a program that is funded by New York State and the city.
"It's already hard on New York City parents and grandparents financially as it is, yet here we go again with those who seem to be mismanaging fiscal budgets and now plan to cover it up by playing their never ending balance the budget act on the backs of an already over taxed people," said Herbert. "We are not going to stand for this."
However, money for student travel dropped significantly in the mid 1990s to $90 million a year. Despite soaring costs, the state and city contribution has reportedly remained the same - which has forced the MTA to pay the balance, which is estimated to be roughly $70 million a year.
The Metropolitan Transportation Agency finance committee approved wide-ranging service reductions last Monday, which are said to include the elimination of the W and Z subway lines and the cancellation of more than 20 bus lines
