The MTA’s Reduced-Fare Program, For Disabled and Those Over 65
Did you know that the MTA has a Reduced Fare Program for people who are 65 or older or riders who have qualifying disabilities? If you didn’t, now you do.
Reduced-Fare OMNY cards are coming soon
As the city transitions from MetroCard to OMNY, existing Reduced-Fare MetroCard customers will receive OMNY cards in the mail starting in December. During the transition, the Reduced-Fare application process will change.
About the Reduced-Fare program
– The reduced fare for subways and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses is $1.45 (half the $2.90 base fare) at all times of the day for eligible customers.
– On express bus trips, the reduced fare is $3.50 (half the $7 base fare). You will pay the reduced fare anytime except during weekday peak periods (6 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.).
– On the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, you can save up to 50% off the full one-way peak fare. You will pay the reduced fare anytime except weekday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m. if traveling in the direction of NYC terminals.Ā Read more about railroad fares, including reduced fares.
Who qualifies for the Reduced-Fare program?
Any person aged 65 or over, or any person with a qualifying disability:
– Receiving Medicare benefits for any reason other than age
– Serious mental illness and receiving Supplemental Security Income
– Blindness
– Deafness or hearing loss
– Ambulatory disability
– Cognitive disability
– Other physical disability
How to apply for the Reduced-Fare program
You can apply in person or by mail. The online application is not currently available.
As the MTA transitions Reduced-Fare customers from MetroCard to OMNY, new customers who apply by mail may experience longer processing times of up to three months before receiving a Reduced-Fare OMNY card. We encourage customers to apply in person to enroll in the Reduced-Fare program sooner.
In-person applications will be briefly suspended after November 19, but will resume shortly.
To get more information on how to apply: Click Here!
ID requirements
You will need an ID card to apply. We accept the following forms of photo ID:
– Valid driver’s license (or legal equivalent) from any state
– Valid passport from any country
– Birth certificate + photo ID
– Medicare card + photo ID
– Valid state photo ID
Anonymous
Leave metro card reduced fares like it is do you understand or I will take take you to court
E A Almodovar
Right. Take the MTA to court for a policy that has been advertised for years. I still have some old tokens around. Want to bid for them?
Adam Jason Mack
When Will Reduced Fare, Free š Ride Program going to Start ā on MTA System in New š York City š.
Tee Cee
I have the Fair Fare metro card under Medicaid will that be transferred to the omny reduced fare card
Ben Dover
I used my reduced MetroCard on an express bus and it did not give me a reduce fare. when I went to the MTA website it read that reduce fare metro card is not usable on Express buses is this correct?
Unhappy
It happened to me on a sbs in Manhattan I was so embarrassed
Liz
If I have money in my, Reduce fare metro card will it get transferred over to OMNY reduced card they are going to send me.
Mariana
In all European countries, all senior citizens use the public above ground transportation for free
Iām happy with half fare even though my Omni card stopped working at some point and had to call customer service who was fast and efficient
Anonymous
Before MTA does any transition with the fare, MTA should fix the problem of overcrowded buses, and delay of buses and subways. The buses are sooo overcrowded , that is impossible to ride in them, not only that but buses being busting at the seams with people and still the driver stops to let people in making it unsafe for the passenger and the drivers themselves. MTA SHOULD WORRY ABOUT SAFE
Anonymous
Reduced-Fare OMNY should be for 24/7 on Express buses just like MTA subways & local buses.
Many go to work during peak times and deserve the benefit of eligibility of 65 & older.
I work during the peak hours….Why should I pay full fare if I’m reduced fare eligible!!
Unfair & totally ridiculous…..this needs to be reconstructed…
Betty Minter
Open strollers on the bus is transits biggest mistake!! Some of those things are the size of small Volkswagens!! Strollers, wheel chairs, shopping carts pose a real danger, not to mention the inconvience
Arthur Brown
Reduce fairs are very profitable for the company, helps Seinor citizens financially tremendously.
Diana C
When will you put OMNI on AAR vehicles? I need exact change for each ride, but if I pay $3, the drivers seldom have a dime. So I loose a dollar for every 10 trips, and .25 when the fare was $2.75. When will we receive a reduced fare?