MTA Announces Modifications to Proposed Fare Changes Following Extensive Public Comment Period

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced adjustments to proposed fare policies that are scheduled to be voted on by the MTA Board on Tuesday, Sept. 30. These changes are being proposed following an extensive public comment period in which 1,378 comments were submitted from customers, advocates and elected officials across the service area.

Under these revisions, the fare cap for seven days of unlimited travel on subways and buses using tap and ride would be lowered from $36 to $35. This equates to a less than 3% increase from the current price for a weekly pass. After 12 paid trips in any seven-day period, customers would automatically get unlimited free rides the rest of the week, as they do today.

After listening to feedback from commuter rail customers who expressed concern over the previously announced 4-hour validity window on LIRR and Metro-North tickets, all one-way mobile and paper commuter rail tickets will instead expire at 4:00 a.m. the following day, ensuring customers can still get home, even if their plans change.

Additionally, the "family fare" program, which allows up to four children to ride commuter rail lines for $1 each with a fare-paying adult, will be expanded to include children 17 and under (currently 11 and under). The family fare program would also be valid at any time of day all week.

Fares would no longer increase on Metro-North Railroad West of Hudson service, including Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines.

After proposed fare changes were first announced in July, the MTA held an extensive, six-week public comment period. Three public hearings were held in person and online via Zoom. Additional comment sessions were held in 22 locations across the MTA's service area including subway stations, commuter rail stations, and mobile sales vans. Comments were also accepted through an online portal, phone hotline, e-mail, and the postal service. These efforts resulted in four times as many comments as were received in 2023, when fares were last increased.

The 2025 MTA Operating Budget, approved by the Board in December 2024, assumed a fare and toll increase would occur in March 2025. The MTA is delaying the fare and toll increase to January 2026 to align with the launch of full tap and ride on subways and buses. The MTA Board is set to vote on these new proposed adjustments, as well as the previously announced fare and toll increase, during their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30.