The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has decided to eliminate coin collection on buses, a move that contravenes Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines and poses significant hardships to seniors and those without access to banking facilities, predominantly in transit deserts across the city. This decision will disproportionately affect senior citizens who face challenges transitioning to OMNY. Many seniors rely on cash transactions and are not adept with digital payment methods, making it exceedingly difficult for them to access reliable public transport.

Furthermore, the Queens Bus Redesign has already placed a substantial burden on riders. The redesign has altered numerous routes, requiring passengers to make more than one transfer just to reach a subway station. This has increased the complexity of travel and the cost of getting around, further straining vulnerable communities.

We also want better conflict deescalation for fare inspectors, body cameras and for them to use discretion for those who attempted to pay rather than issuing them summons.  We have gotten reports of many passengers who have free fare capping who were stopped and ticketed by fare inspectors because they had a negative balance after they used up their weekly balance. In other cases, the fare validators onboard buses and OMNY machines at subway stations are defective, causes confusion and preventing riders from paying their fares. We are demanding that, in the long term, OMNY unlimited passes be brought back, including a one day, weekly and monthly unlimited option.

Additionally, many New Yorkers who are eligible for Fare Fares are still effectively excluded from the program because they don't have the means or the ability to sign up. We further request that the Fare Fares office locate its office at the MTA's Transit Adjudication Bureau in Brooklyn, where MTA employees and Fare Fares representatives can assist people live.

It is imperative that Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, and the MTA reconsider their stance on eliminating coin collection. Maintaining this option is not just a matter of convenience but a vital lifeline for many New Yorkers, ensuring equitable access to transportation services. We urge New York's leadership to suspend the plan to eliminate coin collection, engage more comprehensively with diverse community stakeholders to evaluate the broader implications, and invest in inclusive solutions that respect the needs of all transit users.

Please join Passengers United in advocating for an inclusive and fair public transportation system by signing this petition. Your support can help ensure that transit policies protect and serve the well-being of all community members.