MTA Fare Hike 2026: $3 Subway Fares & 4.4% LIRR Metro-North Increases Hit NYC Commuters in January | Cost Impact
MTA Fare Hike 2026: $3 Subway Fares & 4.4% LIRR Metro-North Increases Hit NYC Commuters in January | Cost Impact Key Takeaways Subway/bus fares hit $3 : Base fare increases to $3.00 starting January 2026, with weekly OMNY caps rising to $36 . MetroCard eliminated : Sales end December 2025; 30-day unlimited passes discontinued entirely . Commuter rail spikes : LIRR/Metro-North tickets rise 4.4%; Connecticut riders face two 5% hikes by July 2026 . Tolls climb 7.5% : Major bridges/tunnels increase E-ZPass rates; congestion pricing unchanged . Fair Fares criticized : Advocates demand automatic enrollment as hikes outpace wage growth . The $3 Swipe New York City subway riders dig deeper starting January 4, 2026. Ten more cents. Tap OMNY or swipe MetroCard, $3.00 buys the same delays, the same flickering lights. Jessie Lazarus from the MTA calls it a bargain. Says inflation should’ve pushed fares to $3.50 by now. Says the old “pizza principle” died with dollar slices and artisanal crusts...