New York City is making public transit more affordable for hundreds of thousands of additional riders.
As part of the newly announced $125.8 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget agreement, the City Council secured funding for the largest expansion ever of NYC’s Fair Fares program, which offers eligible low-income New Yorkers 50% off subway, bus, and paratransit fares.
The expansion will allow an additional 340,000 New Yorkers to qualify for discounted fares, bringing the total number of eligible residents to approximately 1.3 million people.
Here’s what to know about the expanded program:
NYC is putting $54 million toward expanding Fair Fares
The Fair Fares program launched in 2019 to help make public transportation more affordable for New Yorkers with lower incomes.
The program currently provides a 50% discount on subway and local bus fares, as well as fares on the Staten Island Railway, Roosevelt Island Tram, and eligible paratransit trips.
The FY2027 budget adds $54 million in new funding for the program on top of the $120.6 million already allocated.
Who qualifies for the expanded Fair Fares discount?
The biggest change is the income eligibility threshold.
Previously, New Yorkers qualified if they lived at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Under the expansion, that threshold will increase to 200% of the federal poverty level.
That means more working New Yorkers who previously made too much to qualify will now be eligible for half-price rides.
The expansion includes:
- An additional 340,000 New Yorkers gaining access to discounted fares
- Approximately 1.3 million New Yorkers becoming eligible overall
- Eligibility increasing from 150% to 200% of the federal poverty level
For context, that means individuals making around $32,000 per year and families of four making around $66,000 per year may qualify under the new threshold.
How to apply for Fair Fares
New Yorkers who qualify can apply for the Fair Fares discount through the city’s official program.
Applicants will need to provide information about their identity, residency, and income to confirm eligibility. Once approved, riders can access 50% off subway and bus fares through their Fair Fares account.
To apply, visit the official Fair Fares website and complete the online application. Eligible riders can also check their application status, renew benefits, and manage their account online.
The expanded eligibility rules are expected to open the program to hundreds of thousands of additional New Yorkers, so residents who previously did not qualify may want to check again once the expansion takes effect.
The expansion comes as NYC continues debating the future of transit affordability
The expansion is not the same as making public transit free, an idea pushed by some City Council members and transit advocates.
Instead, the city is expanding an existing program that cuts fares in half for eligible riders, helping reduce transportation costs for New Yorkers who rely on the subway and buses to get to work, school, and essential services.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also continued advocating for making buses faster and eventually free, saying the Fair Fares expansion aligns with broader efforts to make transit more affordable.
What else is included in NYC’s FY2027 budget?
Beyond the Fair Fares expansion, the $125.8 billion budget includes funding for:
- $1,000 college savings accounts for every public school kindergartner through an expansion of NYC Kids RISE
- $700,000 for a pilot program providing OMNY cards to CUNY students
- $175 million in FY27 and $125 million starting in FY28 to expand housing voucher access
- $79.1 million to restore funding for parks, libraries, and cultural institutions
- $86.4 million for immigration legal services
- $6.25 million for the Department of Investigation, including funding for the long-awaited 9/11 toxins report
