The MTA needs money. But apparently, the state Legislature is trying to keep them from getting that money. A new bill would commendably require that the MTA provide free MetroCards for the city's public school students, but also would require 25 percent off MetroCards for college kids, and free MetroCards for senior citizens, off-duty fire marshals, off-duty police officers and retired cops. It also wouldn't require the city or state to chip in, leaving the MTA to fend for itself. And while an extra $52 million a year could probably help, they're apparently losing that to lost and unused MetroCards.

The value of lost, unused or expired MetroCards ends up costing the MTA $52 million a year on printing new cards and cleaning up old ones. That's why they'll be adding a dollar surcharge to new cards. MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said, "Our study concluded that the great majority [of unused Metrocards] ... results from Metrocards that are lost, misplaced, sit in one's bag/dresser/wallet forever and get forgotten about or belong to visitors who've left town or ex-New Yorkers who've moved away. These occurrences wouldn't be significantly affected by a surcharge." The MTA would just make money off of them!

Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers Campaign said of the legislation, "I understand the impulse of legislators to make sure students and others travel on subways and buses for free or at a discount, but Albany has to help fund these rides. Otherwise, commuters will be stuck with tens of millions in costs, putting pressure to raise the fare or cut service." Then again, the MTA could just be pressured to keep better track of their checks. Either way, we're going to keep our MetroCards on keychains from now on.