Fair Fares
How to sign up for Fair Fares
Fair Fares is a New York City program offering half-price fares for subway, bus, and Access-A-Ride to residents living at or below the federal poverty line.
How it works
If you apply and are eligible for Fair Fares, the City will mail you a special Fair Fares MetroCard that can be used to purchase pay-per-ride, weekly unlimited, and monthly unlimited tickets for subway and bus.
The Fair Fares MetroCard you receive will not have any time or value on it—you must add it. When you add time, you will be charged half the current price for the unlimited weekly or monthly option. When you add value, you will add the amount you choose to your card and each time you swipe your card, you will be charged half the current price for a single ride.
If you are using it for Access-A-Ride, you will not receive a card in the mail. Instead your discount will be applied automatically to your account and Access-A-Ride drivers will charge you half-fare.
2. Check your eligibility
Fair Fares is open to New York City residents aged 16-84 living at or below the federal poverty line (earning an annual income of less than $12,880 for an individual to $26,000 for a family of four).
To find out if you meet the eligibility requirements to receive 50% off public transit fares, visit the City’s Fair Fares website and click through their eligibility questionnaire.
Note: The Fair Fares NYC office will not ask about your immigration status, just your local residency, along with your age and income level.
3. Gather your paperwork
If you are eligible, here’s a list of accepted documents required to help you verify your identity, age, income and residency.
If you are applying for discounted para-transit pickups, you will need to include your Access-A-Ride ID number as part of your application.
4. Create an account
Visit the City’s Fair Fares enrollment portal to create an account with a username and password and follow the instructions on your screen to complete enrollment.
You can also submit your paperwork using the ACCESS HRA Mobile App, which lets you manage other benefits you may qualify for, including SNAP and Cash Assistance.
For information on applying a Fair Fares discount to Access-A-Ride pickups, visit this page.
5. Wait for your Fair Fares MetroCard
Once your application has been submitted and all required documents have been uploaded, you will have to wait up to 30 days for review of your application. Once approved, you will wait another two to three weeks for delivery of your discounted MetroCard via the United States Postal Service.
If you select the Access-A-Ride discount, your Access-A-Ride and Fair Fares accounts will be automatically linked and you will only need to wait three days after approval for your discount to kick in.
6. Questions?
If you have any questions, technical problems, or haven’t received your card after you were approved for subway and bus discounts, visit this FAQ page, or the Access-A-Ride FAQs.
You can also email AccessHRAhelpdesk@hra.nyc.gov or call 311 for assistance.
Get Involved
Join our fight to make transit more affordable
After years of grassroots organizing, Riders Alliance member helped to win half-price MetroCards for low-income New Yorkers! Join our fight to make transit more affordable so that all New Yorkers can afford to ride.