The new NYC Transit promotional fare structures take effect Feb. 28, and the new LIRR and Metro-North promotional fare structures take effect March 1. The pilot will last for at least four months.

 

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, said bringing riders back to mass transit depends on three variables – reliability, safety and price. “We’ve made it a priority to get creative on fares,” he said. “Transit affordability is also an equity issue, and we are committed to providing a wide range of new discounts, while ensuring the MTA maintains a solid bottom line.”

 

Meanwhile, MTA chief customer officer, Sarah Meyer, said fare capping will save many riders money and give them more flexibility. “At a time when New Yorkers are paying more for everyday items, the MTA is helping them save money on transportation, one of their most essential expenses,” she said. “Customers no longer have to choose between buying a weekly unlimited pass or paying per ride: With OMNY, they will always get the best deal automatically. We hope riders embrace the new program, and we’ll be watching to see how it affects our operations and fare box revenue. If the pilot is successful, we could extend it or make it permanent.”

 

MTA officials said OMNY, which stands for One Metro New York, is New York’s future fare payment system, which will eventually combine fare payments and ticketing across subways, buses, paratransit, and commuter rail. OMNY is being rolled out gradually since 2019 and is expected to be fully operational by 2023. In the meantime, commuters can still use their MetroCard, eTix, and other existing fare payment options, giving them the flexibility to choose when OMNY is right for them. Learn more about the rollout.

 

The new fare capping pilot program for New York City Transit means free unlimited rides, automatically, after 12 OMNY card taps, Monday through Sunday. MTA officials said the best weekly fares will be available to all riders who tap with OMNY, without the burden of pre-paying for the week, or having to track their progress.

 

MTA officials said OMNY’s technology provides enhanced flexibility to subway, local bus, and Staten Island Railway customers, so they can start accumulating benefits weekly, without having to sign up. Anybody with a device or contactless card can start tapping their way to free rides as long as they use the same device or card each time.

 

Customers who tap and go with OMNY will be charged the standard $2.75 pay-per-ride fare for their first 12 trips starting every Monday. Any trips after that through the following Sunday would be free. As a result, no OMNY customer would pay more than $33 per week, which is the current price of a seven-day, unlimited-ride MetroCard. This way, customers receive the benefits of a seven-day unlimited-ride card without having to decide to pay upfront.

 

Free transfers between subways and buses will continue to be offered to all customers under the pilot program. Two-part trips that are linked by a free transfer between subway and bus are considered a single trip going towards the 12 taps needed to reach the free-fare threshold each week.

 

Three Big Fare Changes for the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad

MTA officials said recognizing the evolving transportation needs of its customers with flexible working hours, the new pilot fare program also offers new, more affordable ticketing options for Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road customers.

 

The program therefore also offers promotional fares designed to encourage railroad ridership within New York City. The MTA will offer three major changes to railroad fares, as follows:

• A new 20-trip ticket will offer 20% off comparable 20 peak one-way fares when purchased through MTA eTix, or at a ticket window. These tickets are valid for 60 days.
• Monthly tickets, which are currently discounted between 48% and 61% of the price of a comparable number of one-way peak tickets, will be discounted by an additional 10%.
• For Metro North passengers, CityTicket, which offers a reduced, flat fare for rail travel within New York City on weekends, will be extended to all weekday off-peak trains at a fare of $5. This is a $2.25 or 31% discount from Metro-North’s current weekday fare between the Bronx and Manhattan, which is $7.25. (CityTicket must be purchased and activated before boarding the train. Metro-North’s off-peak fare between the Bronx and Manhattan remains $13 when purchased on board the train.) City Ticket is valid at these Metro-North stations: Botanical Garden, Fordham, Grand Central Terminal, Harlem – 125th Street, Marble Hill, Melrose, Morris Heights, Riverdale, Sputyen Duyvil, Tremont, University Heights, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Woodlawn and Yankees – E. 153rd Street.

 

All LIRR and Metro-North fares will remain off peak through Feb. 28, 2022.

 

The MTA will evaluate the new fares’ impact on operations, the customer experience and fare box revenue. If the pilot proves successful, the new fare structures could be extended or become permanent. For more information, click here.

 

On the other hand, other fare discount fare programs are already available to those 65 and older, those who have a qualifying disability, and those are in a low income bracket. With a reduced-fare MetroCard, eligible participants can pay a reduced fare of $1.35, or half the regular fare. Currently, this program is available only with a MetroCard, but will be available through OMNY soon, according to the MTA. Find out if you qualify and apply here.