Getting around New York City can quickly drain your wallet, but if you are 65 or older, your daily commute is about to get cheaper.
The MTA’s Reduced-Fare program offers a massive 50% discount on public transit for eligible locals.
Whether you are commuting to Manhattan or visiting family in the outer boroughs, this program is designed to make city living much more affordable.
Here is everything you need to know about claiming your half-priced rides.
How much can you save with reduced fares?
If you qualify for the program, you will only pay $1.50 for subways, the Staten Island Railway, and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses.
This is exactly half of the standard $3 base fare, and the discount is available at all times of the day.
If you rely on express buses, your reduced fare drops to $3.60 (half the $7.25 base fare) anytime outside of weekday peak periods (6 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.).
You can even save up to 50% off full one-way peak fares on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad.
Who exactly qualifies for the program?
The primary requirement is age. Any person aged 65 or older is immediately eligible for the discount.
The program is also fully available for any person with a qualifying disability. This includes New Yorkers experiencing:
- Blindness or hearing loss
- Ambulatory, cognitive, or other physical disabilities
- Serious mental illness while receiving Supplemental Security Income
- Receiving Medicare benefits for any reason other than age
Tapping to pay with ‘OMNY’
The MTA is streamlining the commute by allowing Reduced-Fare customers to tap to pay with OMNY.
You can skip the traditional vending machines entirely and load your card online with a free OMNY account. You will still get the exact same free transfers you enjoyed with a MetroCard.
Best of all? The fare-capping rule applies. If you pay for 12 fares in seven days, the rest of your rides for those seven days are completely free.
How to apply and get your card
While the online application is not currently available, you can easily apply in person or by mail.
You will need to provide a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, IDNYC, or Medicare card. If you are applying with a disability, you must also provide proper documentation.
- Option 1: Apply in person. You can visit an MTA Customer Service Center at select subway stations (open 24/7), the Lower Manhattan center at 3 Stone St, or a Mobile Sales vehicle. If you are 65 or older, you can receive your new Reduced-Fare OMNY card the exact same day.
- Option 2: Apply by mail. You can download the application, attach a passport-style photo, include a copy of your ID, and mail it to the MTA in Brooklyn. Note that mailed applications may take up to three months to process during the transition to OMNY.
If you have questions or need help with a Reduced-Fare MetroCard issue, you can simply call 511 and follow the prompts.