NYC Subway and Bus Fares Increase 2026: People in New York City who use buses and subways should get ready to pay a little more starting January 4, 2026. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, also known as the MTA, has approved a fare increase. This change will raise ticket prices and also change how people pay for rides as the city fully moves to a contactless payment system.
Right now, a normal subway or local bus ride costs $2.90. This price has stayed the same since 2023. From January 2026, the base fare will go up by 10 cents and reach $3.00. This will be the highest base fare the New York City transit system has ever charged.
Nebraska Sets $15 Minimum Wage for Workers in 2026
What Fares will Change and how much Eiders will Pay?
Along with the base fare increase, other transport prices will also rise in 2026. The MTA has approved changes for different types of riders and services.
Here are the key fare changes:
- Reduced fare rides for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income riders will increase from $1.45 to $1.50.
- Express bus fares will rise from $7.00 to $7.25. These buses usually travel longer distances across boroughs.
- The Single Ride ticket will go up from $3.25 to $3.50. Tourists and riders without a MetroCard or OMNY often use this ticket.
The MTA will also end the MetroCard system. MetroCards will stop working after December 31, 2025. From 2026, everyone must use OMNY, which lets riders tap their phone, card, or device to pay.
US Minimum Wage Rise 2025: New Hourly Rates Now in Effect
OMNY fare Cap
One big change that may help regular riders is the fare cap system. The MTA will keep the 7-day fare cap permanently. This means once a rider pays for 12 trips in any rolling seven-day period, all extra subway and local bus rides in that week will be free.
With the $3.00 base fare, riders will not pay more than $35 for unlimited subway and bus rides in one week. Reduced-fare riders will have a weekly limit of $17.50. This system replaces the old weekly and monthly unlimited MetroCards.
Express bus users will also benefit from a cap. Riders using a mix of subway, local bus, and express bus services will not pay more than $67 in a rolling seven-day period once the system fully starts.
For daily commuters, this cap may reduce the impact of higher fares. But people who travel only sometimes, including visitors, may feel the price increase more, especially with the removal of older unlimited ride options.
