Gonna be honest, if you're below the poverty line in a big city, subway fare is going to be the least of your concerns.
the problem is that if you're below the poverty line in a big city you really can't leave and go anywhere else. can't get a job because you stink and look like an old hairy man, can't get a house because you stink and look old, can't get help because all the rich white people that walk through times square are all tryna buy a golf course or some dumbstuff
but how would you survive in the suburbs as a bum? where tf would you even live? if you try to sleep on the streets some white 2nd amendment dude will snipe you from their window