MTA hearings begin on proposed fare and toll hikes
The MTA is kicking off public hearings on possible fare and toll hikes that could take effect in January 2026.
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yesterdayThe MTA is kicking off public hearings on possible fare and toll hikes that could take effect in January 2026. The first meeting happens Tuesday evening at the agency’s headquarters in Downtown Brooklyn, with two more scheduled for Wednesday.
What’s on the table
The MTA says the changes would help keep the system reliable without hitting riders with large, surprise increases later. Here are some of the main proposals:
- Subway and local bus fares would rise from $2.90 to $3.00
- Express bus fares would increase to $7.25 a ride
- Single-ride tickets would go from $3.25 to $3.50
- Tolls at MTA bridges and tunnels — including the Throgs Neck, Whitestone, and RFK bridges — would rise 7.5%, about a 50-cent increase for E-ZPass drivers, making the new toll $7.46
The agency also wants to make the 7-day rolling fare cap permanent. That means once you pay for 12 subway or local bus rides in a week, the rest of your rides are free. Express bus riders would also get a cap, never paying more than $67 a week no matter how much they ride.
Some commuters say even small fare hikes will make things harder. “It’s funny cause a lot of people can’t even afford to be on the side of the street right now,” said Valenka from Bushwick. “The buses are a safe way to get to and from work for a lot of people for a fair wage. If you’re gonna hike it, it’s gonna make a lot of difference in people’s lives.”
What happens next
The MTA Board is expected to vote on the plan this fall. If approved, the new fares and tolls would start in January 2026.
Tonight’s public hearing starts at 6 p.m. at 130 Livingston St. in Brooklyn. Riders can attend in person, join virtually on Zoom, or submit comments online, by mail, or by phone. Two more hearings are scheduled for Wednesday.
For more details on the proposals and how to participate:
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