An open letter to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority:
Your reduced-fare MetroCard has been a great service to our senior citizens.
But during the past several decades, medical science has added longevity to their lives. Many elderly seniors are now living well beyond their 80s.
While this is a blessing, it has also created a financial burden. Since most seniors retire when they reach 65, their fixed income can carry them through those early years. As years go by, inflation and added medical costs rapidly deplete their funds.
Therefore, I propose a formula to address this problem: a two-tiered, reduced-fare MetroCard.
Keep the current plan for seniors 62 to 79, but then initiate a new MetroCard with an additional 50 percent reduced fare for those 80 and older.
If the MTA agrees to this innovative, two-tiered senior fare discount, it could set a trend for other state public transportation authorities.
Readers, if you like this idea, please contact MTA and state officials. Urge them to adopt this concept.
Anthony G. Pilla
Forest Hills
