On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board approved a new round of fare and toll increases scheduled for January, which will impact millions of New Yorkers who rely on public transit and commuter lines.
Increases for Subway and Bus Riders
From January, base fares for the subway and buses will jump from $2.90 to $3. The fare for reduced-fare riders increases from $1.45 to $1.50. Express bus fares move up to $7.25 from the previous $7, and off-peak reduced express fares climb from $3.50 to $3.60.
These changes, finalized during the board’s September 30 meeting, continue the MTA’s practice of mild, steady fare hikes in lieu of dramatic spikes.
Tweaks to the OMNY Weekly Cap
Despite the fare increases, the MTA scaled back its initial proposal for the unlimited weekly OMNY cap. The board originally wanted a $2 rise, but public input over six weeks led to a $1 increase instead.
The OMNY weekly fare cap will be raised from $34 to $35. This ensures anyone taking 12 or more rides in one week will pay no more than $35. The reduced-fare weekly maximum will now be $17.50.
“Thanks to the efforts of the governor and legislature, we avoided having to jump from incremental fare hikes to a huge increase like what Philadelphia is seeing,” stated Janno Lieber, MTA chair and CEO.
Higher Tolls and Rail Ticket Rules
Drivers are also set to pay more, with most MTA bridge tolls moving from $6.94 up to $7.46. The board adopted new expiration policies for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North tickets as well.
All one-way paper and mobile tickets will now be valid until 4 a.m. the next day, easing the initial plan to have them expire only four hours after purchase.
Mixed Responses from the Public
Reactions among riders are mixed regarding the fare and toll hikes.
“These constant hikes are making it tough to get by,” commuter Omar Vera told the MTA, calling for a slower pace of increases, amNY reported.
Conversely, Adam Schmidt, transportation associate at the Citizens Budget Commission, said such increases are vital: “Predictable, modest biennial increases ensure reliable funding for the MTA and prevent riders and drivers from facing sudden, steep fare shocks.”
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