NEW YORK - The city is expanding its "fair fares" program offering half-priced MetroCards to low-income New Yorkers.

Around 50,000 people are getting the cards, an increase from 30,000 when the program launched in January.

The half-priced cards are only available to people who live below the poverty line and qualify for cash assistance or SNAP benefits.

The program is expected to cover another 84,000 people later this year when it adds low-income city university students, veterans and public housing tenants.