As we’ve discussed in other articles, with the arrival of 2026, changes are coming to various areas of government administration. These changes will also affect subway fares and public transportation in general in New York City. 2026 is just around the corner, and public transportation users will see several changes to the system. Americans who travel in the city have been warned about some fare adjustments that will be implemented starting this year, ranging from fare increases to the discontinuation of the MetroCard. Most of these changes begin on January 4th.
Many residents will be surprised by these changes
The fact is that the updates will apply to those who use certain modes of transportation and will mean higher costs. The popular MetroCards will soon be a thing of the past, as the MTA will stop selling and reloading them starting December 31, making the OMNY payment system the only option. Many residents will be surprised by these changes, so it’s best to stay informed. In late September, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved several changes to fare, toll, and ticketing policies, according to a statement published on its website.
MetroCards have been in the system for over 30 years
Strictly speaking, the MTA emphasized that this is being done to ensure it has the necessary resources to operate a safe and reliable transportation system that New Yorkers can trust. MetroCards have been in the system for over 30 years, but one of the reasons they are being phased out is because most people are increasingly using contactless payment systems. In any case, the most important thing is to know the dates of the changes so we aren’t caught off guard, especially during rush hour, so we don’t get stuck because we can’t pay for public transportation correctly.
The reduced fare for local buses will increase from $3.50 to $3.60
Specifically, the basic fare for the metro, local buses, and Access-A-Ride increases by 10 cents, from $2.90 to $3. “Fare and toll changes are small and are made at regular intervals to keep pace with inflation and avoid surprises with unpredictable or double-digit increases,” the MTA assured residents. The reduced fare increases from $1.45 to $1.50, and the basic fare for the express bus increases from $7 to $7.25. The reduced fare for local buses will increase from $3.50 to $3.60.
Important to note that contactless card payments will be required for fares on metro, local buses, and express buses
In addition, the 7-day mobile fare cap, which allows customers to pay for 12 trips within a 7-day period and automatically ride free for the remainder of the week without prepayment, is becoming permanent. The transit changes were included in the MTA’s 2025 Operating Budget last December. They were originally scheduled to take effect in March, but the fare and toll increases were delayed until January 2026 to coincide with the widespread rollout of pay stations across all subways and buses.
On the other hand, the fare cap extends to the express bus network: Express bus customers will pay no more than $67 per week for unlimited rides on express buses, local buses, and metro in any 7-day period. A renewable seven-day automatic fare for unlimited rides is also becoming permanent, and paying for 12 rides within a seven-day period results in any additional rides being free. Furthermore, it’s important to note that contactless card payments will be required for fares on metro, local buses, and express buses.
Finally, it’s important to remember that there will be no changes to the discount policies for seniors, people with disabilities, students, or the free Paratransit Zero Fare program. The fee for a new OMNY card will be $2 when the MTA stops accepting MetroCards for fare payment. We advise allowing plenty of time when using public transportation to avoid last-minute problems.