Advocates Push for More Fare Caps on NYC's OMNY System

Calls for daily and monthly fare caps to replace retired MetroCard options and provide more flexibility for riders.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Advocates are urging the MTA to expand its OMNY fare capping system beyond just the current weekly cap of 12 rides for $35. They argue that adding daily and monthly fare caps would better replicate the benefits of the retired MetroCard system, encouraging more transit ridership by providing more flexibility and affordability for different types of riders and trip patterns.

Why it matters

The transition from the MetroCard to the new OMNY tap-and-pay system has eliminated popular unlimited daily and monthly pass options, which advocates say has resulted in a "massive fare hike" for the MTA's most loyal riders. Expanding fare capping could help restore some of those benefits and make transit more accessible.

The details

The current OMNY system only offers a weekly fare cap of 12 rides for $35, meaning riders who take fewer than 12 trips per week don't get any discounts. Advocates argue that adding daily and monthly fare caps, similar to systems in other cities like London, would encourage more discretionary transit trips and benefit a wider range of riders beyond just daily commuters.

  • The MTA phased out the MetroCard and introduced the OMNY tap-and-pay system in recent years.
  • In October 2026, the MTA announced a fare increase from $2.90 to $3.00 per ride.

The players

MTA

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the public benefit corporation that operates public transportation in the New York City area.

Brian Fritsch

The associate director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, an organization that advocates for transit riders.

Blair Lorenzo

The executive director of the Effective Transit Alliance, a group that advocates for improved public transportation.

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What they’re saying

“More fare caps are good for riders, it makes sense to be free after a certain point.”

— Brian Fritsch, Associate Director, Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (Streetsblog)

“The end of the monthly MetroCard actually meant a massive fare hike for New York's most loyal riders. A cap of 46 rides over 30 days would at least restore the status quo.”

— Blair Lorenzo, Executive Director, Effective Transit Alliance (Streetsblog)

What’s next

The MTA has indicated it is still evaluating the impact of its recent fare increase and the transition to the OMNY system. Advocates will likely continue to push the agency to expand its fare capping options to better serve a variety of rider needs.

The takeaway

As the MTA phases out the familiar MetroCard system, expanding fare capping on the new OMNY platform could help maintain affordability and flexibility for transit riders, encouraging more discretionary trips and supporting the agency's ridership goals.