Subways and local busesGet free rides after 12 fares within seven days using the same device or contactless card with fare capping. Learn more about how to get free rides with OMNY.
You can use cash, credit, or debit cards to make your purchase. New York City subway fares are $2.75 per trip. For visitors staying more than a couple of days you can buy a one week unlimited MetroCard for $33 or an unlimited monthly MetroCard for $127.00.
The subway carried 1,793,073,000 riders in 2022. On October 29, 2015, more than 6.2 million people rode the subway system, establishing the highest single-day ridership since ridership was regularly monitored in 1985.
However, it is best to prepare your trip by knowing your destination, what train(s) will take you there and how you plan to spend your time. It is absolutely safe to visit New York and ride the subway, relative to any other public activities in other cities. In fact, it's been a low-crime area for years.
The number of paying weekday subway riders averaged 3.6 million in June, according to the MTA, compared with daily ridership of almost 5.5 million in 2019. Inflation and transit crime have also impacted subway ridership.
A subway is not technically a train, but the tunnel and track where the subway train runs—similar to how a monorail train is a type of train, but a monorail is not a train, but the thing the monorail train runs on. Some people use the word “subway” to mean subway train, though.
The New York City subway is a core part of the infrastructure and transportation in the city. The subway is owned by the city of New York and leased to the New York Transit Authority. It is one of the oldest subway systems and one of the largest in the world, with about 472 stations in operation.
With a regular Pay-Per-Ride card, every subway ride costs $2.90 (plus a $1 fee for a new card if you don't already have one). With a Pay-Per-Ride, you get one free transfer to a bus within 2 hours. If you decide to go with a Pay-Per-Ride you can skip buying a MetroCard and use the OMNY Tap-To-Pay option.
Riders who enter the subway system or ride buses without paying the fare are subject to a $50 or $100 fine. Fare evaders are also subject to issuance of a summons; however, MTA officials stated that it is not the MTA's goal to give summonses to fare evaders but to get its riders to pay the appropriate fare.
Since our initial report was issued, the subway and bus fare evasion rates have increased. The first quarter of 2023 (January–March) saw an increase of 11.1% (± 0.9%) for subways and an estimated increase of 37.6% for buses.
In some cases ticket inspectors are assigned to a certain vehicle during its trip on the entire route (usually on long-distance or some commuter transport) and often, in another case they randomly check multiple vehicles (usually city public transport and some commuter transport).
Maneuver Manhattan's train system like a localHere, Archer Hotel New York's consummate host offers timely tips on navigating the New York City subway (aka train) system like a boss. LOCAL TIP: New Yorkers typically call the subway “trains” (not underground or metro) or by their alpha name (the C or the Q).
Buses are your best option if you are traveling from East to West across the city. If it's a pleasant day try to rent a bike or ride a NYC ferry. You will see more of the city and have fun. NYC has many ride sharing options.
The most crowded train in the NYC Subway system is often considered to be the 4, 5, and 6 trains during peak hours. These lines, collectively known as the Lexington Avenue Line, serve a significant portion of Manhattan and the Bronx, and experience high ridership due to several reasons: 1.
The original IRT line opened in 1904, and 116 Street - Columbia University (now a 1 train stop) was part of the first wave of stations that ran from City Hall to 145th Street at Broadway.