Nearly 400,000 New Yorkers have enrolled in a city program that cuts transit fares in half, according to new data from the Department of Social Services, as subway and bus fares increased to $3 last month.
The Fair Fares NYC program serves 389,405 residents as of January, representing 40% of eligible New Yorkers, according to department figures. The program reduces costs on subways, buses, Access-A-Ride paratransit service, Staten Island Railway, Roosevelt Island Tramway and Hudson Rail Link.
One in five New Yorkers struggle to afford subway fares, according to the latest survey by the nonprofit community Service Society. Over 3 million people ride the subway daily through the sprawling transit system.
“Folks who qualify are overwhelmingly in desperate need, and so these are folks who are really having trouble making ends meet, and for whom every dollar counts,” said Danny Pearlstein, policy director for Riders Alliance, a transit-advocacy organization. “A real concern is that people may place themselves in harm’s way by skipping the fare and place themselves at risk of ticketing or arrest.”
The city launched Fair Fares in 2019 for New Yorkers with incomes at or below the federal poverty level, but has gradually expanded eligibility to households making up to 150% of the federal poverty line. For a family of three living in New York, the maximum income to qualify is $40,980 in 2026.
The program operates alongside the MTA’s Reduced-Fare program, which provides discounts based on age and disability rather than income. Additional smaller programs help young New Yorkers and ferry riders afford transit costs.
New Yorkers can apply for Fair Fares online through ACCESS HRA, the city’s benefits portal, or visit one of five Fair Fares offices located in each borough. The offices operate Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closing on holidays.
Applicants must provide documents verifying age, address and income, including government-issued photo identification, bank statements and individual tax returns from the prior year. Documents can be uploaded through the ACCESS HRA app or submitted in person.
After submitting an application, applicants have 10 days to provide required documentation. The city reviews applications within 30 days and notifies applicants by mail of their status.
Upon approval, the city mails a Fair Fares OMNY card to the applicant’s address, which can take up to three weeks to arrive. Participants can use the Fair Fares-issued card or apply the discount directly to a personal OMNY card, bank card or mobile wallet through the ACCESS HRA website or mobile app.
Fair Fares enrollment lasts one year and requires renewal for continued eligibility. The city sends renewal deadlines via text and mail, recommending participants renew at least 30 days before the deadline to maintain uninterrupted service.
The program remains available to residents regardless of immigration status, according to the Department of Social Services. The discount applies to the city’s primary transit options as ridership continues recovering and fares increase to cover system operations and improvements.
Transit advocates emphasize the program’s importance as living costs remain high across the five boroughs. The Fair Fares initiative represents one of the largest efforts to make public transportation more affordable for low-income New Yorkers navigating the nation’s largest transit system.
