NYC 's Transit System Fares - New York City

A fare in New York City is $2.00 and $4.00 for an express bus ride.

For the longest time tokens were used for the sake of fares on our NYC buses and trains. But during recent years the Metro Card came into existence.

These cards come in different forms with which come different traveling incentives:

• 7-Day / 30-Day and 30-Day Express Bus Plus allow you unlimited rides during the periods of time mentioned, for example:
  - 7-Day gives you 7 days of unlimited rides on local buses and trains for 7 days
  - 30-Day gives you 30 days of unlimited rides...
  - 30-Day Express Bus Plus gives you 30 days of unlimited rides on trains, local buses and our express buses.

Purchasing these MetroCards:

• Buy as many rides as you want from $4 to $80.
• Put $10 or more on your card and receive a 20 percent bonus. For example, a $20 purchase gives you $24 on your card.
• 12 trips for the price of 10.
• You get an automatic free transfer between subway and bus, or between buses.

1-Day Fun Pass
Cost: $7, reduced fare not available
Good for unlimited local bus rides and subway use from first use until 3 a.m. the following day. Sold at MetroCard Vending Machines within the subways and at local stores. It is not available at station booths.

7-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard
Cost: $21, reduced fare $10.50
Good for unlimited local bus rides and subway use until midnight, 7 days from day of first use. (just remember folks, it's always better to purchase this card earlier in the day rather than later so's to make more use of it; just because you purchase it let's say, in the late evening doesn't mean it'll be good until 7 days later in the late evening.)

30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard
Cost: $70, reduced fare $35
Good for unlimited local bus rides and subway use until midnight, 30 days from day of first use.

7-Day Express Bus Plus MetroCard
Cost: $33, reduced fare not available
Good for unlimited express bus, local bus, and subway rides until midnight, 7 days from first use.

NOTE: Travel on our Staten Island Ferry is Free.

The Metrocards are sold at Token Booths, neighborhood MetroCard merchants, MetroCard Vending Machines, MetroCard Buses and MetroCard Vans. (the FunPass cannot be purchased at Token Booths)

Be sure to read through the Be Aware section below so's to better acquaint yourself with the way things work.

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Be Aware!

There are some who aren't totally aware as to how the system of using MTA issued Metrocards work. Here are just some of the guidelines to make your stay here in NYC a better one regardless of whether you're a visitor or staying here.

1. Simply buying a 1-Day Fun Pass at say, 4:00pm one afternoon does NOT mean you get to use it until the same time the following day. The 1-Day Fun Pass is good from first use to 3 AM the following day; the 7-day or 30-day unlimited cards run out at midnight on 7th or 30th day of use.

2. It PAYS to get the Fun Pass if you're planning 3 or more trips in one day which would require an entry into the Subway system or onto the Bus each time.

3. You can transfer easily from Bus to Subway or vice-versa, but must wait at least 18 minutes before re-entering the same subway entrance or boarding a bus on the same route again with the same card. (it is unclear if this rule is still in effect since the fare increases went into effect)

4. Be sure to keep a lookout at the time left on your cards at your points of entry. There's always some way of letting you know how much time or money you've left on your card(s).

5. If you're disabled then you are most likely eligible for the reduced fare passes. Check their website for additional information.

More Helpful Hints to come...

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