Then came the 35 cent fare, but it was boosted to 50 cents on Sept. 2, 1975. A transit worker adjusts a token slot on a turnstile as the first 60 cent subway riders scurry through the already adjusted turnstile at the West 4th St. subway station in Manhattan in New York on June 28, 1980.

In 1974, the fare for the New York City Subway was 35 cents. This price had been in place since 1970 and would remain until 1975, when it was increased to 50 cents. During this era, passengers used physical brass tokens with a small "Y" cut-out to enter the turnstiles, a system that predated the MetroCard by decades. To put this in perspective, 35 cents in 1974 is equivalent to approximately $2.25 to $2.50 in 2026 dollars, suggesting that while the face value was low, the inflation-adjusted cost was relatively close to the current base fare of $2.90. The 1970s were a turbulent time for the MTA, characterized by the "Graffiti Era" and significant infrastructure challenges. Despite the low fare, the system faced a "fiscal crisis" that led to the subsequent 43% fare hike in 1975. Collecting these vintage 35-cent tokens has since become a popular hobby for transit enthusiasts, as they represent a grit-filled but iconic chapter in New York's history.