MTA Increases Subway and Bus Fares in New York City
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — Starting Sunday, commuters in New York City can expect to pay a little more to ride the MTA buses and subways. The fares have officially gone up from $2.75 to $2.90, marking the first fare hike since 2019 and the first increase in the base subway and bus fare since 2015.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber defended the fare increase, stating, “Rather than having massive fare increases whenever the MTA hits a financial wall, we should have incremental and predictable, 2%-a-year fare increase. We’re going back to that, that’s predictable for our riders and it’s a small bite.” However, some riders have expressed concerns about the added financial burden.
Despite the concerns raised by commuters, the MTA expects to generate approximately $305 million in revenue from this fare increase. The agency states that the additional funds will be used for infrastructure improvements and operating costs.
In addition to the subway and bus fare hike, other transportation services will also experience an increase in fares. NYC Transit, LIRR, and Metro-North Railroad fares will go up 4%. Toll fees on nine MTA bridges and tunnels increased by an average of 5.5% and up to 10% for those without E-Z Pass.
Express bus fares will rise from $6.75 to $7, and 7-day unlimited-ride MetroCards will now cost $34 instead of $33. Similarly, 30-day unlimited MetroCards will increase to $132 from $127. The MTA has also introduced a new seven-day “best fare” fare-cap option for OMNY customers, allowing them to start their seven-day fare capping period on any day of the week.
MTA riders will also witness a rise in the price of 7-day Express Bus Plus MetroCards, going from $62 to $64.
Despite the fare hikes, the MTA assures that all discounts for seniors and reduced fares will remain in place.
The MTA Board’s decision to increase fares stems from the need for additional revenue to fund capital improvements and operating costs. The fare increase is expected to help mitigate the financial challenges faced by the agency.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s budget has already infused the MTA with over a billion dollars in funding, which has helped stabilize the agency financially and facilitate increasing service.
Additionally, the MTA is anticipated to receive additional revenue from congestion pricing, scheduled to launch next year.
As riders come to terms with the increased fares, the MTA aims to ensure that the additional funds will lead to improved infrastructure and a more reliable transit system.
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