What we do
Ticket inspectors monitor fare payments on the city’s buses. If you do not pay your fare, you may be asked to leave the bus and receive a citation.
Why we do this
The rate of fare evasion on buses has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. In 2020, about 21% of bus riders did not pay their fare; now that number is about 50%—the highest rate of fare evasion of any transit system operated by the MTA.
In 2022, we lost approximately $315 million to bus fare evasion. That’s money we can’t spend on better service to our riders.
Our efforts to combat fare and toll evasion on other MTA services continue. We have increased enforcement of fare payments on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North, and deployed barrier guards at subway stations to reduce fare evasion. We have also worked with other city and state agencies on joint toll enforcement operations focused on ghost plates and persistent toll evaders.
Why it is important to pay the fare
The MTA relies on fares to fund its service. About a quarter of the MTA’s budget comes from fares paid by our passengers.
Paying your fare makes our bus system possible. The MTA uses your fares to hire more bus drivers and mechanics, expand and modernize our fleet, and improve frequency and reliability. When you pay your fares, you help us provide better service to the more than two million New Yorkers who rely on buses every day.
Without your fare, we have less money to spend and service could be worse. Your fare keeps us all moving.
How to save money on airfares
If you need help paying your fare, here’s what you can do.
Student OMNY Cards give students four free rides per day – all day, every day, all year long. If you have a Student OMNY Card, remember to always pay for your rides by tap. Your tap tells the MTA how many people ride from each stop and helps improve service. Learn more about Student OMNY Cards.
Our weekly fare cap helps everyone save money. If you use the same contactless card or device every time you ride, your weekly fare will be capped at $34. You get all the benefits of a 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard without having to pay up front. Learn more about fare capping.
