It’s hard to believe we’re just days away from welcoming 2026! It’s been quite a year in New York City—filled with live music, viral street moments, late-night slice runs, and, of course, plenty of transit rides along the way.
We’re sure that next year will be just as fun. And as we count down to the new year, it’s worth taking a moment to look ahead. January brings a number of important changes to how we move around the city and beyond, and staying informed will help ensure a smooth start to the year for riders everywhere.
Here’s your ultimate guide to all of the transit changes coming to NYC in 2026.
🚇 Subway and Bus
- Base fare increase: The base fare for subways, local buses, and Access-A-Ride will rise from $2.90 to $3.00. Reduced fares will increase from $1.45 to $1.50.
- Express bus fare increase: Express bus fares will go up from $7.00 to $7.25, with the reduced fare increasing from $3.50 to $3.60.
- Single Ride ticket update: The cost of a Single Ride ticket will increase from $3.25 to $3.50. Discount policies for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and students remain unchanged.
- OMNY becomes the standard: The fee for a new OMNY card will increase to $2.00. MetroCards will no longer be available for purchase, marking the full transition to OMNY for fare payment.
🚆 LIRR and Metro North
- Fare adjustments: Weekly and monthly tickets will increase by up to 4.5% across both railroads. All other ticket types traveling to Zone 1 will see increases of up to 8%.
- One-way ticket expiration: All one-way tickets will now expire at 4 a.m. the day after purchase.
- Round-trip tickets replaced by Day Passes: Round-trip tickets are being replaced with Day Passes, which are valid from the day of purchase until 4 a.m. the following day.
- Expanded Family Fare: Children ages 5 to 17 can ride for $1 each with the Family Fare when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
- Onboard purchase surcharge increase: The surcharge for tickets purchased from a conductor onboard will increase by $2. An equivalent surcharge will also apply to tickets purchased or activated onboard using the TrainTime app.
🚗 Driving and Tolls
- Systemwide toll increase: Toll rates will increase by 7.5% at all facilities, including E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail.
- Resident discounts remain: Existing toll discount programs for Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island residents will remain unchanged.
We know change is hard, and we’re here to help ease every transition. Whether you’re tapping in, hopping on, or cruising across the bridge, a little planning goes a long way. Thanks for riding with us this year—here’s to smooth trips, good playlists, and getting where you’re going in 2026.