Changes to MTA Fares coming early 2026

Most New Yorkers have probably heard about this recently, but for those who haven't, there are a whole host of changes to subway, bus, Metro-North and LIRR fares coming within the next few weeks. Let's dive into them, one by one.

The Metrocard

The Metrocard, a NYC icon, is retiring tomorrow, December 31st, 2025. You already can't buy one anywhere in the subway, and if you want one, you'll need to go to a PATH station--I think they're still there. You will still be able to use a MetroCard until later in 2026, but you won't be able to buy or refill it.

Changes to unlimited cards

Instead of weekly/monthly unlimited MetroCards, OMNY, the new fare system, will have a fare cap, meaning that within one week, you will never pay more than $34 ($35 starting on January 4th) for subways or local busses. , which is the same amount as a weekly unlimited MetroCard. If you use express busses, the fare cap will be $67, with the MTA saying, "Because express buses travel greater distances than local buses and use the highway network to connect neighborhoods lacking transit access to Manhattan, New York City Transit provides coach buses and charges a higher fare than local buses." In addition, the MTA has quietly cut the monthly unlimited option, meaning that you will be charged more if you currently use this.

Changes to normal NYC Transit fares

The base fare for subways and busses will increase by ten cents to $3, while reduced-fare will increase five cents to $1.50. The express bus fare will go up twenty-five cents, to $7.25, and the reduced fare for that will now be $3.60. The single ride ticket will go up twenty-five cents, and will now be $3.50. The fee to buy a new OMNY card will now be $2, but since these last five years, it's still a better deal than the MetroCard. Lastly, "There will be no changes to discount policies for seniors, people with disabilities, students, and the Paratransit Zero Fare". (MTA)

Changes to LIRR and Metro North fares

Monthly and weekly tickets will go up by 4.5% on both the LIRR and Metro North, and all other ticket types will increase by 8%. The peak and off peak city tickets will both increase twenty-five cents, to $7.25 and $5.25, respectively. The same thing will happen to the Far Rockaway ticket. The surcharge for tickets purchased from the conductor onboard the train will increase by $2 to $8. It's not all bad news on the railroad divisions, however, as the MTA has changed things so that all one-way tickets within the city zones will now be the same prices as a city ticket. The peak city ticket and the Far Rockaway ticket will become permanant fare products. There will be no increase on Metro North west of Hudson lines, or on tickets for stations in Connecticut.

Changes to LIRR and Metro North fare policies

Instead of having one-way tickets be valid for months after purchase, they will now only be valid until 4:00am the morning after purchase. That's the only bad policy change, as in good news, the round trip ticket will be replaced with a day ticket, meaning that if you're traveling three or more times in one day, you effectively get some trips free. Day tickets will be 10% cheaper than two off peak one way tickets on weekdays, and the same price as two one way tickets on weekends. This represents a great change if you travel three or more times a day, as you will be saving a lot. There are also changes to family fares. Currently, these work if a fare paying adult, age 18 or over, is traveling with a child age 5-11. The child rides for $1. The fare will be expanded to teens aged 12-17. I don't know about child fares for unaccompanied children. If you do know, comment below. Lastly, reduced fare products will be avalible 24/7.

Thank you for reading this Railnet Blog post written by TrainFanner101.

More Information: https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/2025-changes

Post Author's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrainFanner101