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Students get more free subway rides in NYC

The elevator at the Dyckman Street Subway Station in Inwood, Manhattan, helps people of all abilities reach the platform.
Michael Rubenstein for NPR
The elevator at the Dyckman Street Subway Station in Inwood, Manhattan, helps people of all abilities reach the platform.

New York City is making it more convenient and affordable for students to ride the subway system.

Eligible students will be getting student OMNY cards instead of MetroCards this school year and they will have up to four free rides per day with no time restrictions. This is a change from the previous school year when students had three free trips per day and they could only be used on school days and during certain times. MTA chair Janno Lieber says this will encourage more opportunities for students.

"We want to make sure that kids that are doing internships, who are getting out to get experience have the benefit of the transit system."

Mayor Eric Adams is also hoping the expanded free student subway ride program will cut down on fare beaters. The OMNY cards will be distributed to eligible students at the start of the school year.