New York Subway Fares Jump to $2.75 Today

The $2.50 subway fare is set to rise by a quarter, but will service improve? This New York Times article focuses on problems plaguing the 110-year-old New York subway (second oldest after Boston's), but fares are increasing for all MTA services.

2 minute read

March 22, 2015, 5:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) webpage, "Fares and tolls will go up by 4% over the next two years with the increases set to take effect March 22 on MTA New York City Transit buses and subways, MTA Bus, the MTA Staten Island Railway, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels (and) MTA Long Island Rail Road and MTA Metro-North Railroad.

“We are seeing a system that is bursting at the seams in terms of increased ridership,” Kevin Ortiz, a spokesman for the transportation agency, said.

The plan proposes $32 billion in spending over five years, but it is $15 billion short — the largest funding gap ever and a striking sign of the difference between what the system needs and what the authority can afford," writes Fitzsimmons.

As note here earlier, "(f)are increases are now scheduled to be raised every two years." "The previous increase, in 2013, raised the base fare to $2.50, from $2.25," wrote Fitzsimmons in January.

MTA is a state, not a city or regional agency. Gov. Andrew Cuomo "called the plan 'bloated' and has not addressed the funding gap, instead publicly drawing attention to other infrastructure projects, including a new Tappan Zee Bridge and his proposal for an AirTrain to La Guardia Airport."

Do you have a gripe about NYC subway service? Riders Alliance wants to know. Post your subway horror story on their webpage.

Thursday, March 19, 2015 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City