The latest news from the MTA has New Yorkers bracing to lose another ten cents—but, thankfully, gain plenty of fresh material for daily complaints.
Beginning January 4th, 2026, subway fares will increase from $2.90 to $3, with changes coming to LIRR and Metro North fares as well.
This marks roughly the 20th fare increase since the system began, a steady climb that’s become as predictable as train delays. The increases may seem small, but for New Yorkers who rely on the subway every day, those additional costs add up.
And it’s not just the prices that are increasing, but the sheer number of price changes as well. This will be the second fare increase in the past two years, following the 2023 bump from $2.75 to $2.90. Previously, the system has gone over a decade without raising prices.
The MTA stated on their website:
Fare and toll changes are small and occur at regular intervals to keep up with inflation and avoid surprising customers with unpredictable or double-digit increases.
🗽 New York City transit fare increases
- Subway, local bus, and Access-A-Ride base fare: $2.90 → $3.00
- Reduced fare: $1.45 → $1.50
- Express bus base fare: $7.00 → $7.25
- Express bus reduced fare: $3.50 → $3.60
- Single Ride ticket: $3.25 → $3.50
- Permanent 7-day fare cap for unlimited rides: $35 maximum per week (reduced fare: $17.50)
- New 7-day express bus fare cap: $67 maximum per week
🚆 LIRR fare increases
- Monthly and weekly tickets: up to 4.5% increase
- Other ticket types: up to 8% increase
- Peak CityTicket: $7 → $7.25
- Off-Peak CityTicket: $5 → $5.25
- Far Rockaway Ticket: same as CityTicket
- Peak CityTicket and Far Rockaway Ticket will become permanent fare products
- No increases for West of Hudson lines
- Onboard ticket surcharge: +$2 (includes tickets purchased via TrainTime app)
🚄 Metro North fare increases
- Monthly and weekly tickets: up to 4.5% increase
- Other ticket types: up to 8% increase
- Peak and Off-Peak CityTicket and Far Rockaway Ticket follow the same increases as LIRR
- Onboard ticket surcharge: +$2 (includes tickets purchased via TrainTime app)
- No increases for West of Hudson lines
🚇 Additional Policy Updates
These changes also include several updates to pre-existing policies.
- Permanent 7-day rolling fare cap for subway, local bus, and express bus rides
- Tap-and-go required for all subway, local bus, and express bus rides; cash still accepted at vending machines and OMNY retail locations
- LIRR & Metro-North one-way tickets valid until 4 a.m. the following day
- New Day Pass for unlimited travel replaces Round-Trip ticket; pricing varies by peak/off-peak
- Mobile “pay-as-you-go” discount: 11th trip free after 10 trips in 14 days
- Reduced fares always available for seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare recipients
- Family Fare for children aged 5-17: $1 per ride when accompanied by a fare-paying adult
- Tolls increase 7.5%; existing resident discount programs remain in effect
Rides may be a little pricier and look a bit different in the new year, but at least we’re still riding around the greatest city in the world. Okay, maybe we’re a little biased. For more information, visit the MTA’s official website.