Provide Northeastern NYC students with free public transit cards
The Issue
As a former Marymount Manhattan student and current Northeastern student, I have personally experienced the financial strain of living and attending school in New York City. Navigating the city's daily demands has been further complicated by the merger between Marymount Manhattan College and Northeastern University. I, along with many others, have faced overwhelming challenges related to class schedules, housing arrangements, and increased tuition costs. These challenges have significantly impacted our ability to focus on our academic responsibilities.
In the midst of these challenges, access to public transportation emerges as a critical need. Currently, many NYC students benefit from OMNY cards, which provide four free rides per day, every day, from September to August. This invaluable support allows them to effectively manage their educational and personal commitments across the city. However, this benefit does not extend to Northeastern students based in NYC, who are left to shoulder additional transit costs.
According to recent data, living in New York City ranks 169% higher in cost of living than the national average, putting a substantial financial burden on students who often rely on part-time jobs to make ends meet. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports that the average New Yorker can spend upwards of $1,500 annually on public transit. For already financially strained students, this is an untenable cost.
Implementing free public transit cards for Northeastern students in NYC will ensure equitable access to education and help alleviate some of the financial burdens exacerbated by the merger. This is a realistic, actionable measure that can have a profound impact on student wellbeing and academic success.
We urge the Northeastern administration to recognize the pressures facing their student body and take meaningful steps to support us. By providing free transit cards, the institution would demonstrate a commitment to student welfare and accessibility.
Please join me in signing this petition to advocate for free public transit cards for Northeastern NYC students. Your support can help alleviate our financial stress and affirm the value of accessible education in our city. Thank you for standing with us.
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The Issue
As a former Marymount Manhattan student and current Northeastern student, I have personally experienced the financial strain of living and attending school in New York City. Navigating the city's daily demands has been further complicated by the merger between Marymount Manhattan College and Northeastern University. I, along with many others, have faced overwhelming challenges related to class schedules, housing arrangements, and increased tuition costs. These challenges have significantly impacted our ability to focus on our academic responsibilities.
In the midst of these challenges, access to public transportation emerges as a critical need. Currently, many NYC students benefit from OMNY cards, which provide four free rides per day, every day, from September to August. This invaluable support allows them to effectively manage their educational and personal commitments across the city. However, this benefit does not extend to Northeastern students based in NYC, who are left to shoulder additional transit costs.
According to recent data, living in New York City ranks 169% higher in cost of living than the national average, putting a substantial financial burden on students who often rely on part-time jobs to make ends meet. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reports that the average New Yorker can spend upwards of $1,500 annually on public transit. For already financially strained students, this is an untenable cost.
Implementing free public transit cards for Northeastern students in NYC will ensure equitable access to education and help alleviate some of the financial burdens exacerbated by the merger. This is a realistic, actionable measure that can have a profound impact on student wellbeing and academic success.
We urge the Northeastern administration to recognize the pressures facing their student body and take meaningful steps to support us. By providing free transit cards, the institution would demonstrate a commitment to student welfare and accessibility.
Please join me in signing this petition to advocate for free public transit cards for Northeastern NYC students. Your support can help alleviate our financial stress and affirm the value of accessible education in our city. Thank you for standing with us.
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Petition created on August 5, 2026