More New Yorkers can now take advantage of discounted bus and subway prices

Mayor Eric Adams said on Sunday that more New Yorkers will now be eligible for 50% off subway and bus prices as a result of the Fair prices program’s extension in the budget for the following year.

The program will now be available to any New Yorker earning up to 145% of the federal poverty threshold. A family of four, for instance, would only need to make $53,041 total annually. The annual ceiling for a single-person household is slightly over $21,800.

Those who fulfill the income requirements and live in New York City between the ages of 18 and 64 are eligible to register for Fair Fares. The program offers special cards that charge 50% of usual pricing for single rides, seven-day, thirty-day, and unlimited swipes on subways and buses that qualify. It is applicable to MetroCards and Access-A-Ride services.

Previously, a household of one could only receive Fair Fares discounts up to 120% of the federal poverty line, or slightly over $18,000 annually.

According to Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, there are currently over 335,000 New Yorkers paying half price for their MetroCards. The expansion will include hundreds of thousands of new residents.

Advocates, however, say that more needs to be done. Daglian believes that families earning up to 200% of the federal poverty threshold should be included in the program. That would translate into an annual joint income of little over $73,000 for a household of five.

“Fair Fares will now be available to hundreds of thousands more New Yorkers—a significant step toward facilitating more equitable access to opportunities throughout the five boroughs that transit brings,” stated Daglian.

As the affordability issue in our city deepens, Fair Fares is one of the easiest and most affordable solutions we have to help working New Yorkers.”