| Photo by Oliver Cole on Unsplash
NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is proposing fare hikes that could take effect in January 2026, sparking concern among commuters, advocates, and city leaders.
- Subway & Bus Fare: Increase from $2.90 to $3.00
- Express Bus Fare: Rise from $7.00 to $7.25
- OMNY Weekly Cap: Raised from $34 to $36 for unlimited rides
- MetroCard Phase-Out: MetroCards will be discontinued in favor of OMNY tap-and-go
- Commuter Rail (LIRR & Metro-North):
- Monthly/weekly tickets: Up to 4.5% increase
- Other tickets: Up to 8% increase
- New “Day Pass” offers unlimited travel until 4 a.m. the next day
- Tolls: Increase by 7.5% across bridges and tunnels
Mayor Eric Adams opposes the hike, saying, “Proposing a fare hike without demonstrating meaningful improvements is offensive to hard-working New Yorkers, and that’s why I’m urging all board appointees to vote no on this proposal. We strongly oppose this fare increase and remain committed to fighting for a more affordable and equitable city.”
In his statement, he said that “the current MTA fare is already too high for many. His administration has taken steps within its control burden through Fair Fares. Recently, the mayor explained that it has expanded to include New Yorkers earning up to 145% of the federal poverty level.”
Advocacy groups like Riders Alliance and “Fare Ain’t Fair” argue the hikes burden low-income riders and call for expanded Fair Fares programs. Public hearings are scheduled for August and September, with a final vote expected in the fall.
The MTA is transitioning fully to the OMNY system, eliminating 30-day unlimited MetroCards. Riders must now rely on digital fare caps, which sme say disadvantage those without smartphones or stable internet access.
Governor Hochul has not issued a direct statement on the current 2025 fare hike proposal. Her earlier decision has indirectly contributed to the financial pressure that prompted it.
In June 2024, Hochul made a controversial move to pause New York’s congestion pricing program, which was expected to generate $1 billion annually for the MTA’s capital projects. This decision forced the MTA to dip into its operating budget to cover capital borrowing costs — a shift that increased pressure to raise fares and cut services.
Critics, including transit advocates and budget analysts, argue that Hochul’s pause spared wealthy drivers while shifting the financial burden onto working-class riders.
Back in 2021, Hochul celebrated the federal infrastructure bill, saying it would allow the MTA to avoid fare hikes and service cuts. But optimism has faded as ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels, and congestion pricing revenue was halted in February 2025, when the Trump administration rescinded federal approval just weeks after the tolling system launched..
New York City officially launched congestion pricing, charging most drivers $9 to enter Manhattan and below 60th Street. On May 21, 2025, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Department of Transportation from penalizing New Yorkers for continuing the program.
Governor Hochul strongly opposed the federal halt, stating:
“Public transit is the lifeblood of New York City and critical to our economic future… Since this first-in-the-nation program took effect last month, congestion has dropped dramatically and commuters are getting to work faster than ever.”
Despite the federal pushback, Hochul and the MTA vowed to fight the decision in court and keep the cameras on.
NYC’s congestion pricing program, launched on January 5, 2025, had a measurable impact on traffic before it was halted in February, and the data paints a compelling picture of early success.
Before the congestion pricing was stopped, TomTom data showed congestion in Manhattan’s toll zone dropped from 24.7% to 16.9% n early 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Rush hour congestion (3-5 p.m.) fell from 43.2% to 30.3% shaving nearly 5 minutes off travel time per 10 kilometers.
A study by Altitude by Geotab found:
- 44% of Lower Manhattan roadways saw faster commercial vehicle travel times between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Fewer medium- and heavy-duty trucks entered the zone, replaced by more multi-purpose vehicles like vans and pickups.
- Idling behavior remained essentially unchanged, suggesting smoother flow but not necessarily shorter stops.
In addition, according to the NYC Health Department, it began evaluating air quality changes using expanded monitoring sites in and around the congestion zone. Preliminary data collection, it said, will continue through 2026 to assess long-term health impacts.
The early data suggests congestion pricing improved traffic flow, especially for freight and delivery vehicles, and reduced gridlock in key corridors. While idling didn’t drop significantly, the shift in vehicle types and travel speeds points to more efficient movement — a win for both commuters and commercial logistics.
