Overview
- Directors approved a $21.3 billion operating budget and a financial plan that implements a 4% fare and toll increase in January 2026 and schedules another 4% hike in 2027.
- The subway base fare rises to $3, express bus fares to $7.25, and tolls increase 7.5% across MTA facilities, with existing borough resident toll discounts unchanged.
- MetroCard sales end in January as OMNY becomes standard with a $2 card fee, with MetroCards accepted into 2026 and remaining balances eligible for transfer or reimbursement for up to two years after expiration.
- LIRR and Metro-North will raise weekly and monthly tickets up to 4.5% and other Zone 1 tickets up to 8%, replace round-trip tickets with a Day Pass, set one-way tickets to expire at 4 a.m. the next day, add a $2 onboard surcharge, and launch a $1 Family Fare for children 5–17 traveling with an adult.
- The board approved $1.75 billion in congestion-pricing-funded contracts, including $1.3 billion for CBTC signals on the A/C lines between Jay St–MetroTech and Ozone Park–Lefferts and accessibility upgrades at five stations, while the tolling program continues under a court order during a federal legal dispute.