July 31, 2025 New York City commuters, brace yourselves. The MTA is set to raise subway and bus fares to $3 starting January 4, 2026, marking a significant shift in how millions navigate the five boroughs. This isn't just about a fare hike; it's a wholesale transformation of the transit payment system, with the OMNY contactless payment system taking center stage and the beloved MetroCard heading for obsolescence.

The $3 Fare and the End of the 30-Day Unlimited

The headline news from Wednesday's MTA board meeting is the fare increase to $3 per ride. But for many, the bigger change will be the elimination of the 30-day unlimited MetroCard option.

"It was a breakthrough three decades ago, but they’re regressive, use it or lose instruments, we’re just done with them," declared Jessie Lazarus, the MTA's deputy chief for commercial ventures, signaling a clear move towards a more flexible, OMNY-centric model.

This means the seven-day fare cap will become the sole unlimited option for most riders. The cost of this weekly cap is also increasing, rising to $36 from the current $34. The good news? Once you hit that $36 threshold using the same smartphone or credit card with OMNY, your rides for the rest of that seven-day period are free.

Express Bus Users Get a New Weekly Pass

For dedicated express bus commuters, there's a new development: the MTA is introducing an unlimited weekly pass for express bus users once they spend $67 in a week. This mirrors the existing seven-day unlimited option available to subway and bus riders using OMNY.

Broader Impacts: Commuter Rail, Tolls, and OMNY Cards

The fare adjustments aren't limited to subways and buses. Commuter train fares (Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road) will see a 4.4% increase, and tolls on MTA bridges and tunnels will jump by 7.5%. The MTA attributes these increases to the need to meet inflation and revenue goals.

A notable change for commuter rail users is the elimination of round-trip tickets. Instead, riders will purchase day passes that expire four hours after activation.

Drivers using E-ZPass will also feel the pinch, with a 52-cent increase on major crossings like the RFK, Whitestone, Throgs Neck, Verrazzano bridges, and the Queens-Midtown and Brooklyn-Battery tunnels. The Henry Hudson Bridge toll will rise by 24 cents, and the Cross Bay and Marine Parkway bridges will see a 20-cent increase. Notably, congestion pricing rates will remain unchanged.

Adding to the list of price hikes, the reusable OMNY card itself will double in price, from $1 to $2, starting next year.

The MetroCard's Final Countdown

The impending demise of the MetroCard is perhaps the most significant operational change. The MTA plans to completely phase out the MetroCard by the end of December 2026. Beginning in January 2026, the agency will stop selling MetroCards, with full discontinuation of acceptance later in the year.

The reason for this aggressive transition? Cost. "It costs the MTA $20 million annually to maintain MetroCard machines and buy physical cards," explained Jessie Lazarus. The full transition to OMNY is expected to streamline operations and reduce expenses.

Political Pushback and Affordability Concerns

The proposed changes are not without controversy. Mayor Eric Adams has publicly criticized the fare hike, stating, "Proposing a fare hike without demonstrating meaningful improvements is offensive to hard-working New Yorkers," and has urged MTA board members to vote against it.

Advocacy groups are also voicing concerns about the impact on low-income riders. Danny Pearlstein of the Riders Alliance emphasized the need for easier enrollment in the discounted Fair Fares program to offset the burden of increased costs. "As fares rise, struggling riders need relief from City Hall with more Fair Fares, automatic enrollment tied to other benefits, and free fares for New Yorkers in poverty," Pearlstein urged.

MTA Chair Janno Lieber insists the agency is doing its part. “We’re not part of the affordability problem, we’re part of the affordability solutions,” Lieber stated, encouraging the city to more widely advertise the Fair Fares program.

A Glimpse into the Future: More Hikes on the Horizon

It's also important to note that this fare hike isn't a one-off. The MTA has budgeted for a 4% fare hike every two years. This means New Yorkers can expect to see further increases in 2027 and again in 2029.

As the city moves towards a fully digital transit system, commuters will need to adapt to the new payment methods and increased costs. Will the transition to OMNY be smooth, and will the city address the concerns of affordability for its most vulnerable riders? Only time will tell.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming fare hike and the end of the MetroCard? Share your comments below!