By Forum Staff
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s new subway, bus, and commuter rail fares took effect on Sunday. The updated tolls which are designed to yield a 4-percent fare revenue increase, were approved by the MTA Board during its July meeting.
The base fare for subways, local buses, the Staten Island Railway and Paratransit has risen to $2.90, up from $2.75. Express bus fares have risen to $7.00, from $6.75. Single-ride tickets on subways and buses have increased to $3.25 from $3. All discounts for seniors and other reduced-fare customers will remain in place.
The Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad will continue fare discounts that initially debuted in February 2022, including an additional 10-percent discount on monthly tickets. Fares were frozen for Metro-North’s West-of-Hudson service, the Pascack Valley Line and Port Jervis Line, which is provided under contract by NJ TRANSIT. The 20-trip ticket promotion ended Saturday, Aug. 19. Any 20-trip ticket purchased prior to Aug. 19 will expire 60 days from time of purchase.
Starting Aug. 20, the seven-day “best fare” tap-and-go fare-cap will start any day of the week. A rider’s seven-day period will begin automatically with the first tap into the system and be charged per ride for their first 12 rides of the week, regardless of what day the week starts. Riders who tap with OMNY will never have to worry about paying more than they should in a week because they pay on a per-trip basis and never pay more than $34 within any seven-day period, no matter how many trips they take. The first 11 trips cost $2.90 per tap, the 12th trip costs $2.10, and the 13th trip and all subsequent trips are free.
Unlike the 7-day unlimited-ride MetroCard, which requires an upfront $34 payment, the OMNY “best fare” initiative will give customers the financial flexibility to pay as they go until they have spent $34 in any consecutive seven days. Riders will not pay more than $34 in those seven days.
OMNY’s market share systemwide is over 42%, and in the latest Spring 2023 Customers Count Survey OMNY posted a 79% fare payment satisfaction rate. On July 26, OMNY surpassed one billion taps.
For MetroCard users who wish to obtain unlimited travel by paying up-front, any 30-day, 7-day or 7-day Express Bus Plus unlimited-ride MetroCard purchased at the current rate will expire in September following the Aug. 20 fare increase. The 7-day unlimited-ride MetroCard will increase from $33 to $34.00, and the 7-day Express Bus Plus will increase from $62 to $64. Any rider who purchases a 7-day unlimited-ride or 7-day Express Bus Plus at the current rates must activate their pass by Aug. 27 to receive the full value. Either 7-day pass purchased at current rate will expire on Sept. 2.
Riders who purchase a 30-day unlimited-ride MetroCard must also activate by Aug. 27 to receive the full value, as 30-day unlimited-ride MetroCards purchased at its current rate of $127 will expire on Sept. 25. Under the fare increase, the 30-day unlimited-ride will cost $132.
