About

Fair Fares NYC is a City program created to help New Yorkers with low incomes manage their transportation costs. Using the Fair Fares NYC MetroCard, eligible New York City residents receive a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares. Pay-per-Ride, weekly unlimited, and monthly unlimited options are all available. Fair Fares can also provide 50% off MTA Access-A-Ride paratransit trips. Pay-Per-Ride, 7-Day (Weekly) and 30-Day (Monthly) Unlimited Ride options are all available for those using the Fair Fares MetroCard on subways and eligible buses. Access-A-Ride customers do not use a Fair Fares NYC MetroCard; their discount is applied automatically to their Access-A-Ride trips once their Fair Fares and Access-A-Rode accounts are linked.

Fair Fares NYC applications are open to eligible New Yorkers. Subway and eligible bus discounts are open to New Yorkers who don't have (and aren't eligible for) discounted transportation from the MTA or the City.  If you meet the Fair Fares NYC eligibility criteria, you may still be eligible for the Fair Fares NYC discount on Access-A-Ride fares if you also are in the MTA reduced-fare Program for persons with disability or have an Access-A-Ride MetroCard.

Use the Fair Fares NYC self-assessment tool and apply online

Fair Fares NYC began in early 2019 as a program for certain eligible New Yorkers receiving Cash Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In Fall 2019, the program was expanded to certain CUNY students, student Veterans, and NYCHA residents who met the program's eligibility criteria.