January 3, 2026 If you’re planning to swipe or tap your way across the five boroughs this Sunday, prepare for a lighter wallet. Starting January 4, the era of the $2.90 subway ride is officially over.

In a move that marks the latest tightening of the belt for New York commuters, the MTA is rolling out a sweeping series of fare and toll hikes across subways, buses, commuter rails, and bridges. Here is everything you need to know before the Monday morning rush.

The New "Base" Reality

For the majority of New Yorkers, the most visible change is at the turnstile. A single subway or bus ride is jumping to $3.00.

While a ten-cent increase might seem incremental, it’s the symbolic crossing of the three-dollar threshold that has riders talking. This hike was originally slated for last March but was pushed back to align with the city’s total transition to the OMNY tap-and-go system.

Breaking Down the Costs

It isn't just the subway. The increases are hitting every corner of the transit network:

• Subway & Local Bus: $3.00 (Reduced fare: $1.50)

• Express Bus: $7.25 (Off-peak reduced: $3.60)

• OMNY Cards: New cards will now cost $2.00, doubling the previous price.

• Bridge & Tunnel Tolls: Expect to pay 7.5% more at MTA crossings.

Commuter Rail: The Heavy Hitters

If you live in the suburbs, the news is even grimmer. The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and Metro-North are seeing a tiered increase. While monthly and weekly passes are rising by 4.5%, all other ticket categories—including single-ride tickets—are jumping by 8%.

Perhaps the most aggressive change is the onboard surcharge. If you wait to buy your ticket on the train, the penalty has skyrocketed from $2 to a staggering $8.

Is There a Silver Lining?

The MTA is leaning heavily on its fare-capping system to soften the blow for frequent riders. Under the current OMNY rules:

• Weekly Cap: Once you hit 12 rides in a week ($35 total), every subsequent ride that week is free.

• Reduced Fare Cap: Seniors and eligible riders will have their weekly spending capped at $17.50.

Why Now?

The MTA maintains these biannual hikes are a "mathematical necessity" to keep pace with inflation and fund the agency’s massive operating budget. However, with additional 4% hikes already penciled in for 2027 and 2029, the "cost of doing business" in New York is clearly on a permanent upward trajectory.

Pro Tip: If you haven’t made the switch to OMNY yet, now is the time. With the card fee doubling and the fare-cap only applying to digital taps, the old-school MetroCard is becoming an expensive relic of the past.