The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board is set to vote on Tuesday to finalize a series of proposed fare increases and service policy changes aimed at aligning with the agency’s upcoming full transition to its OMNY contactless payment system.
Under the proposal, subway and bus fares would rise from $2.90 to $3, marking the first base fare increase since the pre-pandemic period. Despite the uptick, officials say it remains essential to support systemwide upgrades and operating costs.
The MTA plans to cap the price of the 7-day unlimited ride MetroCard at $35, slightly below the originally proposed $36. This move, officials say, reflects the agency’s effort to balance fare increases with affordability for frequent riders.
Other key updates include changes to Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad ticketing policies:
- The age of eligibility for $1 “family tickets” will increase from 12 to 17, expanding access to discounted fares for older minors traveling with adults.
- All LIRR and Metro-North tickets will now remain valid until 4 a.m. the next day, replacing the current four-hour expiration rule.
If approved, the fare and policy changes will take effect in January, coinciding with the full-scale launch of OMNY across subway and bus systems.
As part of the transition, MetroCards will be discontinued for purchase starting December 31, with OMNY becoming the exclusive method of payment on MTA subways and buses going forward.
The board’s decision on Tuesday is widely expected to pass, cementing the final step in modernizing the city’s transit fare infrastructure while delivering both expanded services and updated pricing models.
