New Yorkers are bracing for yet another hit to their wallets as the MTA prepares to raise subway and bus fares in January 2026. The base fare will jump from $2.90 to $3.00. Express bus fares will rise to $7.25, while commuter rail riders on the LIRR and Metro-North face hikes averaging 4.4%. Bridges and tunnels such as the George Washington Bridge, Holland Tunnel, and Lincoln Tunnel will also see toll increases of about 7.5%.
The MTA is touting a new seven-day fare cap—after 12 rides in a week, additional trips are free—as a way to cushion the blow. But critics argue this doesn’t change the fact that all riders will be paying more upfront, with no guarantee of better service.
Mayor Eric Adams blasted the proposal as “offensive,” pointing out that New Yorkers already endure frequent delays, unreliable schedules, and overcrowded trains with the MTA. Rider advocates agree, noting that fare hikes in the MTA have become routine while promised upgrades rarely materialize.
MTA Public hearings are scheduled later this month, but many commuters fear the outcome is predetermined. For them, the fare increase feels less like a path to sustainability and more like a tax on millions who have no choice but to rely on the system every day.
The public hearings will take place Tuesday, August 19th and Wednesday, August 20th. Visit https://www.mta.info/transparency/public-hearings/2025-fare-changes for more information.
