NYC transit changes in 2026: Subways, buses, LIRR, Metro-North, tolls
MTA offers free OMNY cards to help riders ditch MetroCards before year’s end
The MTA is giving away free OMNY cards at 16 customer service centers to encourage New Yorkers to switch from MetroCards before they’re phased out. The first 400 riders to transfer balances will save up to $5 ahead of January’s fare hikes.
NEW YORK - Several changes are coming to New York City's public transportation in the new year.
NYC transit changes in 2026
What we know:
As almost all New Yorkers know, there are several methods of public transportation that both city dwellers and visitors make use of every day.
JUMP TO: NYC subway, bus transit | LIRR, Metro-North | Tolls
NEW YORK CITY, UNITED STATES - JUNE 26: The 4, 5, and 6 trains of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) at Grand Central are seen as very crowded, especially the southbound trains during rush hour in New York City, United States, on June 26
All the changes listed below will go into effect at the start of 2026.
NYC subway, bus transit
The base fare for subways, local buses and Access-A-Ride will increase from $2.90 to $3, with the reduced fare increasing from $1.45 to $1.50.
Express bus fares will increase from $7 to $7.25, with the reduced fare increasing from $3.50 to $3.60.
The Single Ride ticket will increase from $3.25 to $3.50. There will be no changes to discount policies that apply to senior citizens, people with disabilities and students.
The fee for a new OMNY card, which is replacing the current MetroCard, will increase to $2. MetroCards will no longer be available for purchase.
One Metro New York (OMNY) devices at a subway station in New York, US, on Thursday, June 30, 2022. The head of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority warned the agency's anticipated $2 billion budget gap may widen in 2026 as it struggles to
MetroCards will continue to be accepted into 2026, so riders can make use of whatever funds they have left on their cards.
The MTA has also said that remaining balances on MetroCards will be eligible for transfer or reimbursement for up to two years after the expiration date on the card.
UNITED STATES -August 30: An unidentified passenger sweeps his metro card at Chambers Street Station 1, 2, 3 lines on the corner of West Broadway and Chambers in the Tribeca section of Manhattan early Wednesday August, 30, 2023. (Photo by Luiz C. Rib
MTA officials told FOX 5 NY's Arthur Chi'en that they predict the biggest adjustment will be to the 5% of New Yorkers who are currently still using MetroCards.
LIRR, Metro-North rides
Weekly and monthly tickets will increase up to 4.5% across both railroads – all other ticket types to Zone 1 will increase up to 8%.
Long Island Rail Road fare changes can be found below:
The fare changes for Metro-North rides can be found here:
There will be no increase to fares on all West of Hudson lines.
All one-way tickets will expire at 4 a.m. the day after a customer purchases them.
One notable change is round-trip tickets are being replaced by "Day Passes." The day pass will be valid from the day of purchase until 4 a.m. the following day.
Commuters near Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) signage at Moynihan Train Hall in New York, US, on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025. Locomotive engineers for New York's Long Island Rail Road approved a potential strike in a fight for higher wages, inching the nati
Also, children from ages 5 to 17 will be able to ride for $1 each with the "Family Fare," but only when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
The surcharge for tickets purchased from a conductor while onboard will increase by $2; there will be an equivalent surcharge for tickets either purchased or activated onboard while using the TrainTime app.
John "Janno" Lieber, Chair and CEO of the MTA, told Chi'en that there has been a lot of "unintentional" and "opportunistic" fare evasion in the past.
MTA launches new crackdown on bus fare evasion
Transit officials are rolling out new tactics to stop fare evasion across New York City—shifting their focus to buses, where more than half of riders on some Select Bus routes don’t pay. Civilian fare agents, proof-of-payment checks, and new technology are part of the MTA’s strategy to reduce lost revenue and enforce payment. FOX 5 NY’s Briella Tomassetti reports.
Riders, however, are not so enthusiastic about this particular change.
"The train already costs money," one individual told Chi'en when asked. "The train already costs money."
Tolls
Toll rates will increase by 7.5% at all facilities, including E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail. However, the existing toll discount programs for Queens, Bronx and Staten Island residents will remain unchanged.
The Source: This article includes information from the MTA and reporting from FOX 5 NY's Arthur Chi'en.