New Yorkers Express Outrage as Subway Fare Rises to $3
The recent fare increase for New York City’s subways and buses has stirred significant discontent among commuters. Starting Sunday, the cost to ride these transit systems has risen to $3, reflecting a 10-cent hike. Many riders are expressing their frustrations over this increase, which they feel does not correspond with the quality of service.
Commuters Voice Frustration Over Increased Subway Fare
One commuter, Tom Nimen, highlighted the long-standing issues with subway service, mentioning his 50 years of commuting experience in New York. “The subway service is lackluster at best,” he remarked, recalling times when he had to choose between necessities like food and transit fares. While his situation has improved, he worries about others who still face financial challenges.
Governor Kathy Hochul recently revealed that, as of 2025, subway trains were on time 83.7% of the time on weekdays, which is an increase of 2.1% from the previous year. Weekend punctuality was reported at 86.6%, up 2.4%. Despite these improvements, commuters continue to feel dissatisfaction. “If you’re gonna pay $3, we better have world-class service now,” said Ian Ward, emphasizing that service issues, like the presence of rats, still exist.
Responses to Fare Increase
- Arun Lakshman, a 23-year-old commuter, stated, “Affordability is a big thing these days.”
- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has opted for incremental fare increases every two years.
- Subway usage reached 1.3 billion trips in 2025, a 7% increase from 2024.
In contrast, other regional transit systems, such as NJ Transit, have implemented more severe fare hikes. They raised fares by 15% in 2024 and plan for an annual 3% increase moving forward.
Changes in Public Transportation
The fare increase is not the only adjustment impacting New Yorkers. The MTA has transitioned away from the traditional Metrocard system to OMNY, a tap-to-pay solution, as of New Year’s Day. Additionally, a pilot program is underway to test modern fare gates aimed at reducing fare evasion, which officials estimate costs the MTA approximately $400 million annually.
On the same day as the subway fare hike, the express bus fare rose from $7 to $7.25, and weekly and monthly tickets for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North trains increased by 4.5%. Tolls on all MTA-operated bridges and tunnels also saw a 7.5% increase.
Concerns Over Affordability
Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed the fare increases, noting the financial pressures faced by New Yorkers across all five boroughs. “When the fare was $2.90, one in five New Yorkers were being priced out of it,” he said, stressing the need for making public transportation more accessible and reaffirming his commitment to the proposal of free city buses.
