About Reduced Fare

Cost: The base subway or local bus fare is $2.25. Reduced fare is half the base fare, $1.10 or less with Reduced-Fare MetroCard discounts.

Who’s eligible: Customers who are 65 years of age or older or have a qualifying disability.

Where and when you can ride at the reduced fare:

• MTA New York City Transit and MTA Bus: local buses anytime
• MTA New York City Transit and MTA Bus: express buses anytime except weekday rush hours: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 am and 3 p.m. to 7 pm.
• MTA Long Island Rail Road and the MTA Metro-North Railroad anytime except weekday rush hours to New York City terminals

How to pay with a Reduced-Fare MetroCard

A Reduced-Fare MetroCard is a personalized MetroCard with your name and photograph.You must apply for, and be approved to receive it.

Seniors Citizens (65 and older): Your application for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard includes the EasyPay automatic refill payment option. Click here to download an application .

Customers with Qualifying Disabilities: Apply for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard. Click here to download an application. Once approved, you can enroll in the EasyPay automatic refill payment option. Click here to download the form.

About the EasyPay Reduced-Fare payment option: EasyPay lets you link your credit or debit card to your Reduced-Fare MetroCard so it refills automatically as you use it.  Create an account today, and in about three weeks, you’ll receive your new EasyPay Reduced-Fare MetroCard in the mail.  Use it right away and enjoy the benefits. With EasyPay there’s no more waiting in line to buy or refill a MetroCard. EasyPay is the easy way. Learn more.

How to pay with cash

When you pay with cash, you must present an acceptable form of identification (ID).  Show your ID to a subway Station Agent or Bus Operator.  Accepted forms of ID are: a NYC Department of Aging ID card, Medicare card (Medicaid not accepted), Access-A-Ride ID card, MTA Reduced-Fare ID card (pre-1995).

Follow these instructions for riding the subway or bus:

In the Subway: Show your ID to a Station Agent to purchase a one-trip ($2.25) MetroCard for entrance into the subway system.  You will also receive a free, return-trip ticket to submit as payment of fare on your return trip.  Your return trip ticket is good for 90 days from the date of issue for a return trip on the subway or a local (not express) bus. On your return trip, the Station Agent will activate the special entry gate so you can enter the subway system or the Bus Operator will allow you to board the bus.

On the Bus: Show your ID to the Bus Operator and pay $1.10 in coins, exact change; no pennies or dollar bills accepted.  You can request a transfer from the Bus Operator.  The transfer is valid for two hours, and can be used to transfer to another local (not express) bus; the transfer cannot be used in the subway.