MetroCards might soon be a thing of the past, but commuters are hoping that reasonable fares will remain as OMNY swoops in to take their place.
The MTA announced it will be voting on the proposed bus and subway fare hikes on Tuesday, September 30th, after “extensive public comment.” Originally the hikes were slated for summer 2025 and pushed to the start of the new year. Now, numbers are being adjusted.
If you’re curious what these tweaks mean for your commute, allow us to give you the scoop.
MTA fare hike changes: here’s what’s happening now
According to a press release from the MTA, the fare cap for seven days of unlimited travel on subways and buses using tap and ride would be lowered from $36 to $35, a less than 3% increase from the current weekly ticket price.
The original plan was to eliminate the 30-day unlimited fare option, making the seven-day fare cap travelers’ only way to get unlimited rides. The cost for a weekly was to rise from $34 to $36, and after riders spend $36, they’ll receive unlimited rides for the rest of the seven-day period, per Gothamist.
Additionally, other tweaks are on the table for the September 30th meeting: LIRR and Metro-North tickets (one way mobile and paper tickets) will now have a later expiration time of 4am the following day.
The “family fare” program, which allows up to four children to ride commuter rail lines for $1 each with a fare-paying adult, will include riders 17 and under verses 11 and under. Lastly, fares on the Metro-North Railroad West of Hudson service, including Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines, will not increase.
For more information, head to the MTA website. We’ll be sure to keep you posted after the September 30th meeting.