Transportation & Mobility · Surprise rank #438
Fair Fares Cuts NYC Subway and Bus Fares in Half
Fair Fares is expanding to 200% of the federal poverty level, but the new limit is not active yet and NYC has not announced the start date. Current applications are still being judged under the existing 150% limit. If your income falls between those limits, check the official eligibility table for the new limit before applying. The program cuts eligible subway and bus fares by 50%.
Who
NYC residents ages 18–64 who meet the current Fair Fares eligibility table and do not receive another equivalent transit discount.
Where: NYC only.
What to do
Start here: Check the official current Fair Fares eligibility table, then apply through ACCESS HRA if you meet the current limit.
Eligibility: NYC resident ages 18–64 with household income within the current official table (currently the existing 150% limit) and without another disqualifying full-fare benefit. Check the official table before applying.
What you get
Eligible working-age New York City residents can pay half price on subway and eligible bus fares.
Benefit: A 50% discount on pay-per-ride or time-based transit fares through the Fair Fares program.
Possible value: Up to roughly $900 per year for a frequent rider.
Good to know
Important: The 200% FPL expansion is funded but not active yet; NYC has not announced a start date. Current applications are judged under the existing 150% limit. Senior/disability reduced-fare and full carfare rules can affect eligibility.
Availability: Current applications use the existing 150% FPL limit; the future 200% expansion has no announced start date.
Why people miss it: A funded future expansion can be mistaken for an active limit; people between the current and future limits should wait for NYC's start-date announcement and check the official table.
Sources reviewed: Aug 16, 2026