Do NYC buses take pennies?

All of our buses and +SelectBusService Coin Fare Collector machines accept exact fare in coins. Dollar bills, pennies, and half-dollar coins are not accepted. OMNY is the MTA's new fare payment system. Use your contactless card or smart device to pay the fare on buses and subways.



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Pay Your Fare The fare box is directly in front of you as you board the bus. You need the exact fare -- $2.75 in nickels, dimes, and quarters or a subway token. Our bus operators don't make change and fare boxes don't accept dollar bills or pennies.

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Subways and buses Fare for most riders on subways and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses: $2.90. Express buses cost $7. Tap to pay your fare with your contactless credit/debit card, smartphone, or OMNY card, or pay with a MetroCard.

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How OMNY works. To pay your fare at subway turnstiles, AutoGates, and onboard buses (including Select Bus Service buses), simply tap your own contactless credit or debit card, smart device, or OMNY card on the OMNY reader.

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Apple Pay is accepted on trains and buses throughout NYC. With your credit or debit card in Wallet, you can easily get where you need to go with just your iPhone or Apple Watch.

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Subways and buses Fare for most riders on subways and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses: $2.90. Express buses cost $7. Tap to pay your fare with your contactless credit/debit card, smartphone, or OMNY card, or pay with a MetroCard.

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We encourage all of our customers to buy tickets using the First Bus App or to pay by contactless card on board. If you are paying with cash, please try to use the exact fare.

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Riding the subway is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to get around the city. For most riders, the subway fare is $2.90. Reduced fares are available for people 65 and older, people with disabilities, and low-income New Yorkers. Learn more about fares.

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The same card works on city buses. You probably won't use the Express buses. These are designed for commuters who live in the outer boroughs. The Metrocard will work on Limited and Select buses.

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What does “OMNY” mean? OMNY, which stands for One Metro New York, is based on the concept of unifying fare payments and ticketing across multiple modes of transportation. We believe that transportation is an essential service that connects communities and brings the diversity and energy of New York together.

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Since MetroCards are still available until the end of 2024, so until then, it may not be worth buying an OMNY card, which costs $4 more than a MetroCard. On the other hand, if you use a pay-per-ride MetroCard, you do not get to take advantage of the OMNY fare cap mentioned above.

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