07/02/2026
3 years. Countless meetings, testimonies, budget hearings, and conversations later, we have a major win. 🎉👏
University Student Senate has successfully received funding from New York City Council for a $700,000 USS Free OMNY Card Student Commuter Grant Pilot Program for CUNY students. 👏🥳
For many students, transportation isn’t just a commute. It’s the difference between making it to class, work, internships, and opportunities.
Real change takes time, and this proves that student voices matter. Thank you to every City University of New York and Ус Юрий leader, delegate, partner, and supporter who helped move this forward. Thank you to our coalition partners CUNY Rising Alliance NYPIRG Young Invincibles PSC/CUNY uAspire for supporting us in this initiative and helping us achieve our USS Pilot Program.
Thank you to Salimatou Doumbouya for starting this initiative, to Daniel Reden for continuing to push for it, and to AkkeemP for bringing it to the finish line. This is what advocacy looks like! A continuous push for the betterment of CUNY students.
A big, big thank you to Council Member and Chair of Higher Education, Rita Joseph and her Chief of Staff Juvanie Piquant for always believing in the power of our USS Free OMNY Card Student Commuter Grant Pilot Program and championing us to victory.
A big, big thank you to Council Member Epstein Council Member Harvey Epstein, Majority Leader Abreu Shaun Abreu, New York City Council, Senator Jackson State Senator Robert Jackson, and Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright as well. Thank you all for believing in our USS Pilot Program!
Now, let’s keep building until transportation is no longer a barrier to earning a degree for every CUNY Student. We’re only just getting started. 🚊📢📚
