While on my way home from class today, I was stopped in the subway station by a man holding a pamphlet. I expected the pamphlet to read "Would you like to be born again?" or something of that nature. Instead, however, the pamphlet read "EasyPayXpress: The Golden Ticket." This threw me off at first, but I soon realized it was referring to the new metro card being released by MTA.

According to MTA, this new card is linked to a credit or debit card, and refills automatically as it is used, eliminating the need to wait on line to to refill a card. The EasyPay metro card differs from the rest in that in order to get one, the subway goer must apply for it first. This new card seems like a step in the right direction for MTA.

The downside however is that due to a $9.8 billion budget shortfall, MTA may potentially increase fair prices in order to make up for the difference, according to the New York Post. Gov. Cuomo has committed an $8.3 billion investment from the state (close to its record high), while the city has committed $657 million (close to its record low). In a time with record subway ridership approaching 1.77 billion, the most since 1949, these contributions by the state and city are crucial to ensure a safe and efficient subway system. The real concern is as to whether or not these deals will be upheld, as none of the money has been handed over yet.

This being said, the new EasyPayXpress card is a step forward in making the public subway system easier for the everyday rider, and a way of potentially avoiding sharp fare increases for those who decide to get one.