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Reduced MTA fares for eligible riders

MTA Reduced-Fare Program | Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

How it works

Reduced MTA fares are available for anyone 65+ or with a qualifying disability.

Service Reduced fare Availability
Subway $1.50 All times
Local buses, limited buses, Select Bus $1.50 All times
Staten Island Railway $1.50 All times
Express buses $3.60 All times except 6-10 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. on weekdays
Long Island Rail Road Up to 50% off peak fare All times
Metro-North Railroad Up to 50% off peak fare All times

Reduced Fare weekly fare cap

Once you spend a certain amount in a 7-day period, your remaining trips are free for that week

  • Subways and local buses: $17.50 max per week
  • Express buses (combined with any other fare): $67 max per week

How to pay with Reduced Fare

When you apply for the Reduced Fare program, you’ll select one payment method:

  • Reduced-Fare OMNY card,
  • Personal credit or debit card, or
  • Digital card on your phone
You can only use one payment method with your Reduced-Fare benefit, so make sure you’re using the same card every time you ride. If you want to switch from a personal payment card to a Reduced-Fare OMNY card, call OMNY at 877-789-6669, 24/7. You can’t switch back to a personal payment card once you have the Reduced-Fare card.

How to get your Reduced Fare railroad ticket

  • MTA TrainTime app: Activate your Reduced Fare ticket before boarding. If you don’t activate, you’ll be charged an $8 fee after two warnings.
  • Paper ticket from the conductor: Show one of the accepted documents at time of purchase.
  • All tickets expire at 4 a.m. the next day (monthly and weekly passes don’t expire)
  • Round-trip tickets are now sold as two separate one-way tickets — buy your return ticket when you’re ready to leave, not in advance

Eligibility requirements

You qualify if any of the following apply:

  • Are 65 or older
  • Receive Medicare benefits for any reason other than age
  • Have a serious mental illness and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Have blindness
  • Have deafness or hearing loss
  • Have an ambulatory, cognitive, or other physical disability

Required documents

Use any one of these to apply:

  • Driver’s license from any state
  • Passport from any country
  • IDNYC
  • Birth certificate (with a photo ID)
  • Medicare card (with a photo ID)

How to apply

Apply by mail

  1. Download and complete an application
  2. Include a passport-style photo
  3. Include a copy of a valid ID as proof of age
  4. For riders with disabilities, include documentation of a qualifying disability
  5. Mail your application and documents to:

MTA New York City Transit

Attn: Reduced Fare Program

130 Livingston St Brooklyn, NY 11201-9625

Apply in person

Apply in person at:

  • Customer Service Centers at select accessible subway stations, open 24/7
  • The Customer Service Center at 3 Stone St in Lower Manhattan on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except major holidays)
  • Mobile Sales vehicles in your neighborhood

If you’re 65 or older: Sign up in person and get your new Reduced-Fare OMNY card the same day.

If you have a disability: Get in-person, individualized assistance. It may take longer to receive your card if your application needs extra review.

Get help

Learn more online

Visit the MTA website to learn more about Reduced Fare or contact OMNY Customer Service online.

Contact the MTA

Call 511 for eligibility and application questions or to share program feedback.

Contact OMNY

Call 877-789-6669 for payment or transaction issues.


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Last Updated May 20, 2026

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