Commuters in the Big Apple are bracing for a fare hike as the MTA Board gave the green light for an increase in subway and bus fares come 2026. Slated to take effect on January 4, ABC7 New York reported that the base fare will rise from $2.90 to $3.00, marking the first such increase since 2023. In addition, the price of a seven-day unlimited subway and bus ride will tick up from $34 to $35, albeit a dollar less than the initially planned $36 hike.
As part of the fare restructuring, the familiar MetroCard will bid its farewell, with its final sale on December 31. Despite the phase-out, the MTA assures that existing MetroCards will remain usable past the deadline, nudging riders towards the new OMNY tap-and-pay system. Implementing such a change, NY1 highlights that the transition will also conclude the availability of 30-day unlimited fares.
Discounts haven't been entirely scrapped, however. After adjusting the fare hike proposal in response to rider complaints, the MTA declared that no commuter would pay more than $35 after 12 paid rides in a week, according to ABC7 New York. The appeal to families has not gone unnoticed either, with the eligibility for discounted LIRR and Metro-North "family tickets" expanding from children under 12 to those under 18 years.
Treading towards modernity, the MTA's transition intends to embrace the ease of contactless payments. However, this leap forward comes at a cost – the fee for a new OMNY card will edge up to $2 from its current $1 fee, as relayed by NY1. Making a nod to both progress and attrition, buses will turn their backs on accepting cash or coins, requiring the use of OMNY for payment, which will be accepted at vending machines and retailers.
Commuter rail passengers are also in for a change, albeit in their wallets rather than their payment methods. NY1 reports that one-way fares on Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North will climb up to 8%, and there will be a 4.5% or less rise in weekly and monthly tickets.
