Subway and bus fares are set to hit $3 for the first time, with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposing a 10-cent increase to take effect January 4, 2026, the MTA announced Wednesday. The increase would also affect commuter railroads and bridge tolls.
Why It Matters: Upper East Side residents who rely on the Lexington or Second Avenue lines and crosstown buses will see modest fare increases, but the new 7-day fare cap means no rider will pay more than $36 weekly for unlimited subway and local bus trips after 12 rides, the MTA explains. The familiar 7-day and 30-day unlimited-ride options will be eliminated.
The Big Picture: The fare hike marks the first increase since August 2023, when single rides went up to $2.90. MTA officials describe the increases as “small, stable and predictable” during a period of high inflation, with MTA chairperson and CEO Janno Lieber maintaining that “transit is one of the few things that makes New York affordable and we’re keeping it that way,” according to The City.
By The Numbers: Since 2018, transit prices have risen just 16%, while housing costs have surged 68%, per The City. If fares had kept pace with inflation, riders would already be paying $3.50 per trip.
What’s Next: The MTA will fully transition to the OMNY tap-and-go system by 2026, retiring the 30-year-old MetroCard. Three hybrid public hearings will be held next month for commuters to voice concerns before the MTA board votes on the proposal this fall, The City notes.
