Receiving a $100 Metro pass seems okay, as long as it came with some type of rule to prevent misuse. Otherwise, people might sell the cards for cash.
Assistance with Metro fares would help low and moderate income people, because families are struggling to pay rent and cook healthy meals due to the upset of this pandemic. I agree with the D.C. Council in giving people incentives so we can get back to work. This would also help to keep our Metro system functioning.
But the issue is much bigger. We really need more than an incentive to ride the Metro. We need affordable housing, so we can live close to public transportation, and employment, so we have jobs to go to. I really would like to go back to work so I can have opportunities to interact with others.
Amia Walker is a vendor with Street Sense Media.
