New York riders face 30-day deadline to submit Fair Fares discount documents
The city requires proof of identity and income within a month of application, with a reduced fare of $1.50 per ride.
By Kevin Iyer ·
Residents of New York City who applied for the Fair Fares program have 30 calendar days to upload required documents to keep their 50% transit discount. The same 30-day window applies to renewals. If the deadline passes, applicants must start the process over from the beginning.
The city may request proof of identity, age, residence, or income. Applicants submit these files through the NYC ACCESS HRA mobile app. Users can take photos of the documents or upload saved images from their phones or tablets. Staff at Fair Fares offices can also assist with the upload process.
Applicants must verify that the system displays the message 'Documents received' and confirm in the app that all files were sent. The review process begins either when the applicant confirms submission or when the 30-day period expires, whichever happens first. The city then has up to 30 additional days to review the application. There is no interview. Decisions are available in the applicant's account and sent by mail.
Fair Fares is open to New York City residents aged 18 to 64 who meet specific income limits. Annual income caps vary by household size. A one-person household must earn no more than $23,940. The limit is $32,460 for two people, $40,980 for three, $49,500 for four, $58,020 for five, $66,540 for six, $75,060 for seven, and $83,580 for eight. Each additional person adds $8,520 to the limit. The program does not ask about or record immigration status.
Applicants cannot receive or be eligible for a city subsidy that covers full transit fares or another discounted transit program. According to NYC311, the reduced fare is $1.50 per eligible ride with free transfers. Riders who pay for 12 rides using the same payment method within seven consecutive days travel free for the rest of that seven-day period.
The discount covers the subway, local buses, Select Bus Service, the Staten Island Railway, the Roosevelt Island Tramway, Hudson Rail Link, and Bee-Line routes. It does not apply to express buses, LIRR, PATH, AirTrain, or Metro-North.
If approved, Fair Fares OMNY cards arrive by mail within two to three weeks. Riders who register an existing OMNY card, bank card, or mobile device with their transit account can use the discount immediately. Access-A-Ride users pay $1.50 per ride in cash. This service activates three days after the MTA confirms eligibility. Riders can qualify for Access-A-Ride even if they already have the reduced fare. Enrollment lasts one year. Renewals submitted on time keep the discount active without interruption.
If the city rejects an application or renewal, applicants have 14 calendar days from the notification date to request a review. They can submit this request at a Fair Fares office or by calling 718-557-1399. The phone line is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
