Fare discount programs
If you’re over the age of 65, have a qualifying disability, or are in a low income bracket, there are programs that can help you save on your rides.
Subways and local buses
If you’re over the age of 65, have a qualifying disability, or are in a low-income bracket, you can apply for reduced fares of $1.45 on subways and local buses. That’s half the regular fare.
Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North
Fare discounts are available for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North customers who are 65 or older, have a disability, or are Medicare recipients. You must have proper documentation available.
You can use reduced-fare tickets at all times except weekday morning inbound peak trains. These are valid for 60 days including the date of sale. Reduced-fare tickets can be purchased on the train with the proper documentation.
Documentation you can use:
- Government/state-issued driver’s license or non-driver ID
- Government/state-issued passport
- NYC Department of Aging ID card
- Reduced-Fare MetroCard or Reduced-Fare EasyPay Card
- Birth certificate or a Medicare card issued by the Social Security Administration, if accompanied by a different photo ID
People with disabilities can use an Access-a-Ride card, an Able-Ride card, a Para-transit card, or a Suffolk County Accessible Transportation card.
If you are a low-income New Yorker
You may qualify for the Fair Fares program, a program created by the City of New York. Fair Fares allows you to receive a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares or Access-A-Ride fares.
If you qualify for both reduced fares and Fair Fares, or if you travel on the railroads, we recommend applying for reduced fares.
Fair Fares monthly outreach events
To learn more about the program, check your eligibility, and enroll, visit the Customer Service Center at these stations from 9 a.m. until noon to meet with a Fair Fares representative:
- First Wednesday of each month: Coney Island-Stillwell Av
- Second Wednesday of each month Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Av/74 St-Broadway
- Third Wednesday of each month: Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport
Get free rides when you tap your fare with OMNY!
More ways to save on fares
Subways and local buses
Tap your smart phone or contactless credit or debit card to ride with OMNY. Get free rides after 12 fares within seven days using the same device or contactless card with fare capping.
Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road
The cost of your ride will depend on your trip — use the fare calculator built into our schedules lookup to see your fare.
If you’re traveling on the Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North Railroad within New York City, you can get a CityTicket for just $5 during off-peak hours or $7 during peak hours.
Tips for saving on subway and bus fares
- Use your contactless credit/debit card, smartphone, or wearable to tap and ride with OMNY. Get the benefits of a 7-Day MetroCard with no pre-paying. Pay for 12 rides using the same device or card in a week and additional rides within the week are free with fare capping.
- Rides include a free transfer between the subway and local buses and between local buses.
- Refill the MetroCard you have instead of paying the fee for a new card.
- Remember that kids under 44 inches tall can often ride subways and buses for free.
- Consider an unlimited MetroCard. If you take the bus or subway more than 46 times in a month, a 30-Day Unlimited card, which costs $132, would save you money. A 7-Day Unlimited card, which costs $34, saves you money if you take more than 12 rides in seven days.
- For Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North Railroad travel within NYC: CityTicket gives you a discounted fare on trips that start and end in New York City.