MTA board approves 2026 fare increase; shrinks cost of subway and bus fare cap

"Per the approval, made during the board's monthly meeting on Sept. 30, a ride on the subway or bus will increase from $2.90 to $3; reduced fare rides would increase from $1.45 to $1.50. The express bus fare will increase by a quarter, from $7 to $7.25, and the reduced fares during off-peak hours will jump from $3.50 to $3.60. The MTA board also voted yes to lower the price of its seven-day subway and bus fare cap."

"This governor and this legislature stepped up so we did not have to change our pattern of small incremental fare increases and go to a massive fare increase like is going on in Philadelphia right now, Lieber said. We have 2% a year instead of 20% or 15%, which is what New Jersey just went through."

"Under the cap, customers pay for 12 rides within a seven-day period; all subsequent rides are free. At the proposed base fare, no rider would pay more than $35 in a week. Reduced-fare customers would pay no more than $17.50 in a week The decision to lower the original fare cap followed a six-week public comment period."

The MTA board approved a fare increase raising the subway and bus base fare from $2.90 to $3 and reduced fares from $1.45 to $1.50. Express bus fares increase from $7 to $7.25 and off-peak reduced express fares rise to $3.60. The seven-day OMNY fare cap will be set at $35, down from an originally proposed $36, ensuring no rider pays more than $35 in a week and reduced-fare riders no more than $17.50. The cap adjustment followed a six-week public comment period. Commuter rail one-way tickets now expire at 4 a.m. the following day and most MTA bridge tolls rise to $7.46.

Read at www.amny.com