New York City residents and visitors who rely on the subway and bus services for their daily commute will soon experience an uptick in fares. Starting this weekend on Aug. 20, 2023, the cost of a single ride on the subway or bus will rise from $2.75 to $2.90. This marks the first fare increase since 2019 and the initial rise in the base fare since 2015.
In addition to the subway and bus fare increase, NYC Transit, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and Metro-North Railroad fares are set to go up by 4%. This recent hike follows the August 6 toll adjustments for nine MTA bridges and tunnels, with average increases of 5.5% and a maximum of 10% for those lacking E-Z Pass.
The fare changes aren’t confined solely to the subway and bus systems. Express bus fares will see an increase from $6.75 to $7, while the cost of a 7-day unlimited-ride MetroCard will climb to $34 from the previous $33. Similarly, a 30-day unlimited MetroCard will now cost $132, up from $127.
One notable alteration is the introduction of the seven-day “best fare” fare-cap through the OMNY system. This system provides commuters with greater flexibility by allowing them to pay-as-they-go until they’ve spent $34 within a consecutive seven-day period, after which the cap will be in effect for the remainder of the week.
The fare adjustments have garnered mixed reactions from New Yorkers. Some argue that these increases are a necessary step to support the city’s transit infrastructure and its ongoing enhancements.
However, others voice concerns about the timing of the fare hike, given the recent disruptions caused by the pandemic. Some believe that now might not be the most opportune moment to ask commuters to shoulder additional financial burdens.
The estimated revenue generated from these changes, approximately $305 million, will be allocated to both capital improvements and operational costs.
