Funny how fares hit $3 right after the promise they would be free, like the system is daring you to notice who actually sets the rules. The MTA answers to bondholders and budget math, not campaign slogans, and riders are the pressure valve.
https://x.com/i/trending/2007642723613061542
What happened to the free busses?
Fair hike goes into effect in NYC.
Never trust anyone trying to sell you on socialism. pic.twitter.com/YabYyPhQc2— Sadie (@Sadie_NC) January 3, 2026
Zohran Mamdani announces free buses will begin on February 31st, 2026 pic.twitter.com/AI5M2RVXdb
— Mamdani Watch (@MamdaniWatch) January 3, 2026
New York City’s subway and bus fares will bump up to $3 on Sunday.
It’s a 10-cent increase since the last fare hike in 2023. The MTA for years has found creative ways to avoid increasing the cost of a single ride to an even $3 as it contends with growing costs and inflation. In 2017, the agency held the cost of a single ride at $2.75 but increased the cost of unlimited ride passes to make up the difference.
Transit officials also held the fare at $2.75 in 2019, and got rid of bonuses given to MetroCard users who loaded up their fare cards with cash value. Gov. Kathy Hochul paused a planned fare hike to $2.90 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-subway-bus-fare-will-jump-up-to-3-on-sunday