NYC MTA raises fares, phases out MetroCard
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority will raise the base fare for subways, local buses and Access-A-Ride from $2.90 to $3.00 on January 4, 2026, while a reduced fare will rise from $1.45 to $1.50, even as new Mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigned for 'fast and free' buses he does not control. As of January 1, 2026, riders can no longer buy or refill MetroCards, with the card set to be fully retired later in 2026 along with coin payment on buses, requiring riders to transition to the OMNY system or transfer remaining MetroCard value at MTA customer service centers.
📌 Key Facts
- Effective January 4, 2026, the MTA base fare for subways, local buses and Access-A-Ride increases by 10 cents from $2.90 to $3.00.
- The reduced fare increases from $1.45 to $1.50 under the same change.
- As of January 1, 2026, MetroCard sales and refills have ended, with the card and bus coin payments to be discontinued later in 2026 as riders shift to OMNY.
📊 Relevant Data
The MTA approved the 2026 fare increases as part of efforts to maintain a balanced budget, with the authority forecasting operating deficits of $345 million in 2027 and $354 million in 2028.
Financial Outlook for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority — Office of the New York State Comptroller
Making local buses fare-free in New York City would cost the MTA an estimated $700 million annually in lost fare revenue and additional operating expenses due to increased ridership.
Free buses may surge ridership and travel time, maintenance — NY1
In 2023, the rate of transit affordability hardship was 28% for Black New Yorkers, 25% for Latino New Yorkers, 12% for White New Yorkers, and 10% for Asian New Yorkers, while NYC's population is approximately 22% Black, 29% Hispanic, 32% White, and 15% Asian.
When You Can't Afford the Fare — Community Service Society
In 2023, NYC subway ridership reached approximately 3.6 million daily, representing 68% of pre-pandemic levels, while bus ridership was 1.4 million daily, at 63% of pre-pandemic levels.
Bus riders in the NYC region have the largest share of low-income individuals among transit modes, with 41% earning less than $53,800 annually, compared to 23% for subway riders.
How MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan Will Benefit All New Yorkers — Regional Plan Association