Editing MetroCard (section)

==History and fares==
The idea for a farecard with a magnetic strip for the MTA system was proposed in 1983. It was the "highest priority" for then-MTA Chairman [[Richard Ravitch]]. The card would replace the tokens that were, at the time, used to pay transit fares.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/06/weekinreview/the-region-in-summary-mta-chief-wants-a-new-way-to-pay.html|title=THE REGION IN SUMMARY; M.T.A. Chief Wants a New Way to Pay|last=Levine|first=Richard|date=March 6, 1983|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 13, 2018|last2=Douglas|first2=Carlyle|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> This plan was generally supported by the public.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/04/nyregion/fare-card-plan-draws-support-and-skepticism.html|title=Fare-Card Plan Draws Support and Skepticism|last=Daley|first=Suzanne|date=March 4, 1983|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 13, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1984, Ravitch's successor [[Bob Kiley]] said that he would try to create a system for the new farecards within the next four years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/29/nyregion/head-of-mta-urges-fare-card-for-the-subways.html|title=Head of M.t.a. Urges Fare Card for the Subways|last=Daley|first=Suzanne|date=October 29, 1984|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 13, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> However, bureaucratic actions and disagreements delayed the rollout of the system. In March 1990, the MTA board voted to allocate funding for the magnetic fare collection system.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/23/nyregion/mta-panel-backs-automated-fare-system.html|title=M.T.A. Panel Backs Automated Fare System|date=March 23, 1990|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 26, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Three months later, the New York state legislature voted to allow the MTA to proceed for its plans for the new system.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/23/nyregion/mta-can-go-ahead-with-fare-automation.html|title=M.T.A. Can Go Ahead With Fare Automation|date=June 23, 1990|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 26, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> By 1991, the token technology was becoming dated: almost all other transit systems were using magnetic farecards, which were found to be much cheaper than the token system.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/02/nyregion/plan-to-update-turnstiles-hits-a-snag.html|title=Plan to Update Turnstiles Hits a Snag|last=Sims|first=Calvin|date=July 2, 1991|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 13, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In July of that year, the MTA board approved the roll-out of the magnetic farecard system.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/27/nyregion/in-one-two-mta-punch-new-token-then-no-token.html|title=In One-Two M.T.A. Punch, New Token, Then No Token|last=Sims|first=Calvin|date=July 27, 1991|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 28, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The MTA opened a request for bids to furnish and operate the farecard system, and [[Cubic Transportation Systems]] offered the lowest bid at $100 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/16/nyregion/automated-card-system-chosen-to-collect-fares-in-new-york.html|title=Automated-Card System Chosen To Collect Fares in New York|last=Sims|first=Calvin|date=March 16, 1991|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 28, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On October 30, 1992, the installation of Automated Fare Collection turnstiles began.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/nyct/facts/ffhist.htm |title=About NYC Transit History |date=October 19, 2002 |access-date=September 18, 2016 }}</ref> The farecard system was given the name MetroCard by April 1993. At the time, the first subway stations were supposed to receive MetroCard-compatible turnstiles before year's end, and buses were scheduled to be retrofitted with MetroCard collection equipment by late 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/04/26/nyregion/a-fare-card-for-transit-is-lagging.html|title=A Fare Card For Transit Is Lagging|last=Faison|first=Seth|date=April 26, 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 28, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On June 1, 1993, MTA distributed 3,000 MetroCards in the first major test of the technology for the entire subway and bus systems.<ref>{{cite news |last=Faison |first=Seth |date=June 2, 1993 |title=3,000 Subway Riders, Cards in Hand, Test New Fare System |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/02/nyregion/3000-subway-riders-cards-in-hand-test-new-fare-system.html |access-date=May 20, 2025 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Less than a year later, on January 6, 1994, MetroCard-compatible [[turnstile]]s opened at [[Wall Street (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)|Wall Street]] on the [[IRT Lexington Avenue Line]] ({{NYCS trains|Lexington south}}) and [[Whitehall Street–South Ferry (BMT Broadway Line)|Whitehall Street–South Ferry]] on the [[BMT Broadway Line]] ({{NYCS trains|Broadway south}}).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/06/nyregion/fare-cards-make-debut-in-subways.html|title=Fare Cards Make Debut In Subways|last=Foderaro|first=Lisa W.|date=January 6, 1994|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 13, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":0"/> All MetroCard turnstiles were installed by May 14, 1997, when the entire bus and subway system accepted MetroCard.<ref name=":0"/>

On September 28, 1995, buses on Staten Island started accepting MetroCard, and by the end of 1995, MetroCard was accepted on all New York City Transit buses.<ref name=":0"/>

{{Graph:Chart
|width=800
|height=200
|type=line
|legend=Pay-Per-Ride

|xType=date
|xAxisTitle=Year
|xAxisAngle=-40
|x=1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019

|yType=number
|yAxisFormat=$.3g
|yAxisMin=0
|yGrid=
|yAxisTitle=Cost of Single Trip (in USD)
|y1Title=Bus/Subway Base Fare
|y1=1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2.25, 2.25, 2.25, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 2.75, 2.75, 2.75, 2.75
|y2Title=Bus/Subway Single Ride
|y2=1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2.25, 2.25, 2.25, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5, 3, 3, 3, 3
|y3Title=Express Bus Base Fare
|y3=4, 4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5.5, 5.5, 5.5, 6, 6, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5, 6.75
}}

{{Graph:Chart
|width=800
|height=200
|type=line

|xType=date
|xAxisTitle=Year
|xAxisAngle=-40
|legend=Unlimited Rides
|x=1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019

|yType=number
|yAxisFormat=$.3
|yGrid=
|yAxisTitle=Cost of Card (in USD)
|y1Title=1-Day Fun Pass
|y1=, , 4, 4, 4, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7.5, 8.25, 8.25, 8.25
|y2Title=7-Day Unlimited
|y2=17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 21, 21, 24, 24, 24, 25, 27, 29, 29, 30, 30, 30, 31, 31, 32, 33
|y3Title=7-Day Unlimited Express Bus
|y3={{repeat|6|, }} 33, 33, 41, 41, 41, 41, 45, 50, 50, 50, 50, 50, 57.25, 57.25, 59.50, 62
|y4Title=14-Day Unlimited
|y4={{repeat|11|, }} 47, 51.5, 51.5
|y5Title=30-Day Unlimited
|y5=, , 63, 63, 63, 63, 70, 70, 76, 76, 76, 81, 89, 104, 104, 112, 112, 112, 116.5, 116.5, 121, 127
|y6Title=30-Day Unlimited Express Bus
|y6=, , 120, 120, 120, 120, 120
}}

Before 1997, the MetroCard design was blue with yellow lettering. These blue cards are now [[collectable|collector's item]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/nyregion/31metrocards.html |title=On MetroCards' Flip Side, Art Exhibits That Catch Collectors' Eyes |last=Mallozzi |first=Vincent M. |date=August 30, 2008 |newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 26, 2010}}</ref> On July 4, 1997, the first free transfers were made available between bus and subway at any location with MetroCard. This program was originally billed as MetroCard Gold. Card colors changed to the current blue lettering on goldenrod background.<ref name=":0"/> On January 1, 1998, bonus free rides (10% of the purchase amount) were given for purchases of $15 or more.<ref name=":0"/> On July 4, six months later, 7-Day and 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCards were introduced, at $17 and $63, respectively.<ref name=":0"/> A 30-day Express Bus Plus MetroCard, allowing unlimited rides on express buses in addition to local buses and the subway, was also introduced at $120.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hop On, Hop Off: The Unlimited Metrocard Arrives |first=Andy |last=Newman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/03/nyregion/hop-on-hop-off-the-unlimited-metrocard-arrives.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 3, 1998 |access-date=April 25, 2010}}</ref> The 1-Day Fun Pass was introduced on January 1, 1999, at a cost of $4.<ref name=":0"/> The debut of the MetroCard allowed the MTA to add bonus fare incentives, such as free bus transfers to other buses or subways. Half of the ridership increase between 1997 and 1999 was attributed to these incentives.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Hirsch | first1=Lawrence R. | last2=David Jordan | first2=J. | last3=Hickey | first3=Robert L. | last4=Cravo | first4=Valdemar | title=Effects of Fare Incentives on New York City Transit Ridership | journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board | publisher=SAGE Publications | volume=1735 | issue=1 | year=2000 | issn=0361-1981 | doi=10.3141/1735-18 | pages=147–157 | s2cid=109406104 }}</ref>

The first [[MetroCard Vending Machines]] (MVMs) were installed on January 25, 1999, in two stations,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1999/01/26/043672.pdf |first=Monte |last=Williams |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Metrocard Machines' Subway Debut |date=January 26, 1999 |access-date=April 25, 2010}}</ref> and by the end of 1999 347 MVMs were in service at 74 stations.<ref name=":0"/> On April 13, 2003, tokens were no longer sold.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gothamgazette.com/article//20030428/202/362 |first=Michael |last=Markowitz |newspaper=Gotham Gazette |location=New York |title=NYC Subway Token, 1953–2003 |date=April 28, 2003 |access-date=April 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427090825/http://www.gothamgazette.com/article//20030602/4/408 |archive-date=April 27, 2007 }}</ref> Starting May 4, 2003, tokens were no longer accepted, except on buses. The following fare increases were implemented:
* '''Base fare''' increased from $1.50 to $2.00<ref name="dailyfreeman">{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Jesse J. |date=January 19, 2003 |title=Commuters could face 33% fare hike |url=http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=6742177&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=74969&rfi=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620090354/http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=6742177&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=74969&rfi=6 |archive-date=June 20, 2008 |newspaper=The Daily Freeman |location=Kingston}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes-Seeks-Increase-2003">{{cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Randy |date=March 6, 2003 |title=The Transit Increases: Overview; Transit Authority Seeks an Increase in Fares and Tolls |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/2003/03/06/648078.pdf |access-date=April 25, 2010 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
* '''1-Day Unlimited''' MetroCard fare increased from $4 to $7<ref name="dailyfreeman"/><ref name="NYTimes-Seeks-Increase-2003"/>
* '''7-Day Unlimited''' MetroCard fare increased from $17 to $21<ref name="dailyfreeman"/><ref name="NYTimes-Seeks-Increase-2003"/>
* '''30-day Express Bus Plus''' was replaced with a 7-day Express Bus Plus card, which cost $33 each.<ref name="dailyfreeman"/><ref name="NYTimes-Seeks-Increase-2003"/>
* '''30-Day Unlimited''' MetroCard fare increased from $63 to $70<ref name="dailyfreeman"/><ref name="NYTimes-Seeks-Increase-2003"/>
* The bonus for pay-per-ride increased to 20% of the purchase amount for purchases of $10 or more<ref name="dailyfreeman"/><ref name="NYTimes-Seeks-Increase-2003"/>
* Tokens would be phased out, but for the next two months they acted as $1.50 credit towards a $2 bus ride.<ref name="dailyfreeman"/><ref name="NYTimes-Seeks-Increase-2003"/>

On February 27, 2005, another fare hike occurred:
* '''7-day Express Bus Plus''' increased by $8, to $41.<ref name="NYTimes-Fares-Rising-2005">{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/2005/02/28/435570.pdf |first1=Sewell |last1=Chan |first2=Ann |last2=Farmer |author-link=Sewell Chan |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Facing the Pain Of Rising Fares, And Riding On |date=February 28, 2005 |access-date=April 25, 2010}}</ref>
* '''7-Day Unlimited''' increased by $3, to $24.<ref name=NYTimes-Fares-Rising-2005/>
* '''30-Day Unlimited''' increased by $6, to $76.<ref name=NYTimes-Fares-Rising-2005/>
On April 1, 2007, MetroCard started to be accepted by the Westchester [[Bee-Line Bus System]] as all of its buses were now equipped with new fareboxes that could accept MetroCard.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007|title=Starting April 1, 2007 Westchester Bee-Line buses are equipped with new fareboxes that accept both coins and MetroCard.|url=http://www.mta.info/metrocard/beeline.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428003238/http://www.mta.info/metrocard/beeline.htm|archive-date=2007-04-28|access-date=July 5, 2021|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}</ref>

On March 2, 2008, another set of fare increases was implemented:
* '''1-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by 50 cents, to $7.50.<ref name="Chan 2008">{{cite web | last=Chan | first=Sewell | title=All About the M.T.A. Fare Increase | website=City Room | date=February 29, 2008 | url=//cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/all-about-the-mta-fare-increase/ | access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>
* '''7-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by $1, to $25.<ref name="Chan 2008"/>
* '''14-Day Unlimited''' was introduced for $47.<ref name="Chan 2008"/>
* '''30-Day Unlimited''' increased by $5, to $81.<ref name="Chan 2008"/>
* The bonus for pay-per-ride decreased to 15% of the purchase amount for purchases of $7 or more.<ref name="Chan 2008"/>

On June 28, 2009, the agency had its second fare hike in as many years:
* The '''base fare''' and '''single-ride ticket''' increased by 25 cents, to $2.25.<ref name="Donohue 2009">{{cite web | last=Donohue | first=Pete | title=MTA Talks Fare Hikes for 2009 AND 2011 | website=New York Daily News | date= June 28, 2009 | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-subway-fare-hike-takes-effect-sunday-price-rises-2-25-ride-article-1.373236 | access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>
* '''1-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by 75 cents, to $8.25.<ref name="Donohue 2009"/>
* '''7-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by $7, to $27.<ref name="Donohue 2009"/>
* '''7-Day Express Bus Plus''' fare increased by $4, to $45.<ref name="Donohue 2009"/>
* '''14-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by $4.50, to $51.50.<ref name="Donohue 2009"/>
* '''30-Day Unlimited''' increased by $8, to $89.<ref name="Donohue 2009"/>
* The minimum purchase for a pay-per-ride bonus rose to $8.<ref name="Donohue 2009"/>

On December 30, 2010, the bonus value for Pay-Per-Ride decreased to 7% for every $10, and the 1-Day Fun Pass and the 14-Day Unlimited Ride were discontinued altogether. Additionally:
* '''7-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by $2, to $29.<ref name="dnainfo2010">{{cite news |title=MTA Votes Yes on Fare Hikes |first1=Jennifer |last1=Glickel |first2=Nina |last2=Mandell |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20101007/midtown/mta-votes-yes-on-fare-hikes |newspaper=DNAinfo.com New York |date=October 7, 2010 |access-date=February 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529223039/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20101007/midtown/mta-votes-yes-on-fare-hikes |archive-date=May 29, 2012  }}</ref>
* '''7-Day Express Bus Plus''' fare increased by $5, to $50.<ref name=dnainfo2010/>
* '''30-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by $15, to $104.<ref name=dnainfo2010/>

In 2012, the MTA allowed advertisements to be printed on the fronts of MetroCards. The backs of MetroCards had already been used for advertisements since 1995. This change meant that advertisers could remove the MTA logo from the fronts of MetroCards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/19/nyregion/mta-opens-front-of-metrocard-to-advertising.html|title=M.T.A. Opens Front of MetroCard to Advertising|last=Flegenheimer|first=Matt|date=July 18, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 24, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://gizmodo.com/the-cursed-history-of-nyc-metrocards-1819774428|title=The Cursed History of NYC MetroCards|last=Estes|first=Adam Clark|date=October 23, 2017|work=Gizmodo|access-date=October 24, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

As a result of [[Hurricane Sandy]] in October 2012, three free transfers were offered on the MetroCard. The first was between the [[Q22 (New York City bus)|Q22]], the [[Q35 (New York City bus)|Q35]], and the {{NYCS trains|Nostrand}} at the [[Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College (IRT Nostrand Avenue Line)|Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College]] subway station.<ref name="RockawayTransfers"/> The second between the Q22, either the [[Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards buses|Q52 Limited or the Q53 Limited]], and the {{NYCS trains|Fulton east}} at the [[Rockaway Boulevard (IND Fulton Street Line)|Rockaway Boulevard]] station.<ref name="RockawayTransfers"/> Finally, a three-hour transfer window applied from transfers from any subway station to the Q22 or [[Q113 (New York City bus)|Q113]] routes of MTA Bus, and then to the [[List of bus routes in Nassau County, New York#n31|n31, n32, and n33]] routes of [[Nassau Inter-County Express|NICE]].<ref name="RockawayTransfers">[http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/rebuildingtheRockaways.htm "Rebuilding the Rockaways After Hurricane Sandy: Current Service"], MTA.info</ref>

On December 19, 2012, the MTA voted for the following fare increases:
* '''Base fare''' and '''single-ride ticket''' increased by 25 cents, to $2.50.<ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/20/nyregion/mta-raises-cost-of-single-rides-and-monthly-passes.html |first=Matt |last=Flegenheimer |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Increase in Base Subway Fare and 30-Day Pass Is Approved |date=December 19, 2013 |access-date=January 16, 2013}}</ref>
* '''7-Day Unlimited''' MetroCard fare increased by $1, to $30.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
* '''30-Day Unlimited''' MetroCard fare increased by $8, to $112.<ref name="nytimes1"/>
* The bonus for a pay-per-ride MetroCard decreased from 7% to 5% but the cutoff for the bonus decreased from $10 to $5.<ref name="nytimes1"/>

Starting February 20, 2013, people were able to refill cards with both time and value, so that when a MetroCard is filled with both an unlimited card and fare value, the unlimited ride portion is used first where applicable. If not started already, the unlimited ride period would begin when the card is next used, and when the unlimited period expires, the regular fare would be charged.<ref>{{cite web | last=Flegenheimer | first=Matt | title=MetroCards Become More Flexible | website=City Room | date=February 21, 2013 | url=//cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/metrocards-become-more-flexible/ | access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> On March 3, 2013, a $1 fee was imposed on new card purchases in-system in order to reduce the number of discarded MetroCards. However, MetroCards purchased through the Extended Sales retail network carry no new card fee.<ref>{{cite web | last=Flegenheimer | first=Matt | title=New MetroCards to Cost $1 Starting Sunday | website=The New York Times | date=March 2, 2013 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/02/nyregion/new-metrocards-to-cost-1-starting-sunday.html | access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>

On March 22, 2015, the MTA voted for the following fare increases:
* '''Base Fare''' increased by 25 cents, to $2.75;<ref name="Fitzsimmons 2015">{{cite web | last=Fitzsimmons | first=Emma G. | title=M.T.A. Is Raising Fares and Tolls; One Subway or Bus Ride Will Cost $2.75 | website=The New York Times | date=January 23, 2015 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/nyregion/mta-raises-fares-subways-and-buses.html | access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>
* '''Express Bus''' fare increased, to $6.50;<ref name="Fitzsimmons 2015"/>
* '''7-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by $1, to $31;<ref name="Fitzsimmons 2015"/>
* '''7-Day Express Bus Plus''' fare increased by $7.25, to $57.25;<ref name="Fitzsimmons 2015"/>
* '''30-Day Unlimited''' increased by $4.50, to $116.50;<ref name="Fitzsimmons 2015"/>
* '''Single Ride ticket''' increased by 50 cents, to $3.00;<ref name="Fitzsimmons 2015"/> and:
* the bonus for a pay-per-ride MetroCard was increased to 11%.<ref name="Fitzsimmons 2015"/>

On March 19, 2017, the following fare increases went into place:
* '''7-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by $1, to $32;<ref name="Tcholakian 2017">{{cite web | last=Tcholakian | first=Danielle | title=$121 For a Monthly MetroCard! MTA Approves Fare Hike For March | website=DNAinfo New York | date=January 25, 2017 | url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170125/midtown/mta-fare-hike-subway-bus-how-much-when-why | access-date=December 16, 2017 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110043942/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170125/midtown/mta-fare-hike-subway-bus-how-much-when-why | archive-date=November 10, 2017 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* '''7-Day Express Bus Plus''' fare increased by $2.25, to $59.50;<ref name="Tcholakian 2017"/>
* '''30-Day Unlimited''' increased by $4.50, to $121; and<ref name="Tcholakian 2017"/>
* the bonus for a pay-per-ride MetroCard was reduced from 11% to 5%.<ref name="Tcholakian 2017"/>

On October 23, 2017, it was announced that the MetroCard would be phased out and replaced by [[OMNY]], a [[Contactless payment|contactless fare payment]] system also by Cubic, with fare payment being made using [[Apple Pay]], [[Google Wallet]], debit/credit cards with [[near-field communication]] enabled, or [[radio-frequency identification]] cards.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-approves-plan-scrap-metrocards-tap-payment-system-article-1.3584098|title=MTA approves plan to scrap MetroCards for 'tap' payment system|last=Rivoli|first=Dan|date=October 23, 2017|work=NY Daily News|access-date=October 24, 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/23/nyregion/metrocard-subway-new-york.html|title=New York to Replace MetroCard With Modern Way to Pay Transit Fares|last=Barron|first=James|date=October 23, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 24, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> All buses and subway stations would use the OMNY system by 2020. However, support of the MetroCard is slated to remain until 2023.<ref name=":2"/>

In mid-2018, city officials tentatively agreed to start a program in which they would provide half-fare MetroCards to almost 800,000 New York City residents living below the federal [[Poverty in the United States|poverty line]]. The program would start in January 2019, and the New York City allocated $106 million in fiscal year 2019 to subsidize the half-fare MetroCards for at least six months.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/07/nyregion/nyc-subway-metrocard-fair-fares-subsidize.html|title=Leaders Poised to Provide Discounted MetroCards to Low-Income New Yorkers|last=Goodman|first=J. David|date=June 7, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 9, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Pereira | first1=Ivan | last2=Barone | first2=Vincent | title=Half-priced MetroCards for the poor could happen after all | website=am New York | date=June 7, 2018 | url=https://www.amny.com/transit/mta-fair-fares-metrocard-1.19036526 | access-date=June 9, 2018}}</ref> After uncertainty over whether the program would be implemented,<ref>{{cite web | title=New York City's Poor Were Promised Half-Priced MetroCards. They're Still Waiting. | website=The New York Times | last=Fitzsimmons | first=Emma G. | date=January 3, 2019 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/nyregion/metrocards-half-price.html | access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Tieu | first=Van | title=Advocates Blast Delayed Details on Fair Fares Program | website=Spectrum News NY1 &#124; New York City | date=January 3, 2019 | url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/01/03/nyc-mayor-s-proposed-fair-fares-program-latest- | access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref> the half-fare MetroCards were rolled out starting on January 4, 2019.<ref name="Waller 2019">{{cite web | last=Waller | first=Derick | title=City rolls out Fair Fares program for low-income riders | website=ABC7 New York | date=January 4, 2019 | url=https://abc7ny.com/5013606/ | access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Rauh 2019">{{cite web | last=Rauh | first=Grace | title=NYC's 'Fair Fares' to Help Only a Fraction of Eligible Residents at First | website=Spectrum News NY1 &#124; New York City | date=January 5, 2019 | url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2019/01/05/nyc-rolls-out-half-priced-metrocard-program-fair-fares-will-help-only-a-fraction-of-eligible-residents-at-first | access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Parry | first=Bill | title=City officially launches 'Fair Fares' NYC program for low-income New Yorkers | website=QNS.com | date=January 4, 2019 | url=https://qns.com/story/2019/01/04/city-officially-launches-fair-fares-nyc-program-for-low-income-new-yorkers/ | access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref> Initially, the reduced-fare MetroCards would be rolled out to 30,000 residents, though another 130,000 New Yorkers receiving [[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|SNAP]] benefits would also be allowed to receive the half-fare MetroCards in April 2019. However, in the revised plan, only a portion of the originally projected 800,000 residents (around 20%) would be eligible for the reduced-fare cards.<ref name="Waller 2019"/><ref name="Rauh 2019"/>

On April 21, 2019, the following fare increases went into place:
* '''Express Bus''' fare increased by 25 cents, to $6.75;<ref name="NYTimes-FaresRising-2019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/nyregion/mta-fares-hike.html|title=Subway Fares Are Rising Again. But That Won't Solve the M.T.A.'s Crisis.|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Emma G.|date=February 27, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 27, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}
* {{cite web | title=MetroCard swipe to stay $2.75 after MTA rejects fare hike, slashes pay-per-ride bonus | website=pix11.com | date=January 25, 2017 | url=https://pix11.com/2017/01/25/mta-to-vote-on-fare-hike-increasing-subway-swipe-to-3 | access-date=September 27, 2019}}
* {{cite web | title=Bye Bye Bonus: What You'll be Paying for MetroCards Starting Sunday | website=ny1.com | date=April 19, 2019 | url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/04/19/nyc-subway-bus-metrocard-fare-hikes-take-effect-this-weekend | access-date=September 27, 2019}}</ref>
* '''7-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by $1, to $33;<ref name="NYTimes-FaresRising-2019"/>
* '''7-Day Express Bus Plus''' fare increased by $2.50, to $62;<ref name="NYTimes-FaresRising-2019"/>
* '''30-Day Unlimited''' fare increased by $6, to $127; and<ref name="NYTimes-FaresRising-2019"/>
* the bonus for a pay-per-ride MetroCard was eliminated.<ref name="NYTimes-FaresRising-2019"/>

In August 2023, the following fare increases went into place:
* '''Base Fare''' increased by 15 cents, to $2.90<ref name="Lazar y313">{{cite web |last=Lazar |first=David |date=August 19, 2023 |title=MTA subway, bus and commuter rail fare hikes take effect |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2023/08/19/mta-subway--bus-and-train-fare-hikes-go-into-effect-this-sunday |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=Spectrum News NY1}}</ref><ref name="Cranmore k086">{{cite web |last=Cranmore |first=Crystal |date=August 21, 2023 |title=MTA fare hikes: Riders now required to pay $2.90 to take NYC buses, subways |url=https://abc7ny.com/mta-fare-hike-bus-subway-congestion-pricing/13678904/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |website=ABC7 New York}}</ref>
* '''Express Bus''' fare increased, to $7.00<ref name="Lazar y313"/><ref name="Cranmore k086"/>
* '''7-Day Unlimited''' fare increased to $34<ref name="Lazar y313"/><ref name="Cranmore k086"/>
* '''7-Day Express Bus Plus''' fare increased to $64.00<ref name="Lazar y313"/><ref name="Cranmore k086"/>
* '''30-Day Unlimited''' fare increased to $132<ref name="Lazar y313"/><ref name="Cranmore k086"/>
* '''Single Ride ticket''' increased by 25 cents, to $3.25<ref name="Lazar y313"/><ref name="Cranmore k086"/>

The MetroCard itself costs $1.