The road ahead this year for transit in New York City
Fox News••business
Key Points:
- Newly inaugurated NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigned for free bus rides but faces challenges as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), not the city, controls the bus system.
- The MTA announced a 10-cent fare increase effective January 4, raising the base fare from $2.90 to $3 and the reduced fare from $1.45 to $1.50.
- Starting January 1, 2026, MetroCards can no longer be purchased or refilled, and eventually, MetroCards and coins will be phased out for bus fare payments.
- Riders are encouraged to transfer remaining MetroCard balances to OMNY cards or use them before expiration, with cash still accepted for OMNY card ref
