NYC MTA Kiosks Make Transit Discounts More Accessible

MTA installs customer service kiosks at subway stations to help low-income riders enroll in Fair Fares program

MTA Adds Kiosks to Boost Fair Fares Sign-Ups

Low-income New Yorkers can now get in-person help enrolling in the Fair Fares discount program at new customer service kiosks the MTA's placed at select subway stations. The kiosks provide hands-on assistance with the application process for the program, which cuts subway and bus fares in half for eligible riders, transit officials said Thursday. Shanifah Rieara, Chief Customer Officer at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said the kiosks will help remove barriers that've kept some residents from accessing the discount. Officials didn't specify how many kiosks they've installed or at which stations.

Program Targets Transit Affordability Gap

The Fair Fares program launched in 2019 to make transit more accessible for New Yorkers earning at or below 120% of the federal poverty level, according to the city's Fair Fares website. More than 100,000 residents had enrolled in the program by 2024, officials said. The 50% discount applies to both subway and bus rides throughout the MTA system. Transit agencies in San Francisco, Seattle and Los Angeles operate similar reduced-fare programs for low-income riders, though enrollment methods vary by city. Officials haven't said whether they plan to expand the kiosk program to additional stations.

Kiosks Offer Direct Enrollment Support

The customer service centers provide face-to-face help with the Fair Fares application, which some riders found difficult to complete online or by mail, transit officials said. Staff at the kiosks can verify eligibility requirements, help applicants gather needed documentation and process enrollments on-site. Rieara said the MTA's committed to making transit more accessible and affordable for all New Yorkers. The kiosks became operational Jan. 30, according to the agency's press release. Specific locations for all kiosks weren't available, though officials said they're at select subway stations throughout the system.

Rollout Already Underway at Stations

The kiosks went into service Jan. 30, the same day the MTA announced the initiative, officials said. The agency typically releases detailed station information for new customer service programs, but a timeline for when complete location lists will be available wasn't provided. Transit officials said the kiosks are part of ongoing efforts to ensure eligible riders can easily access the discount program. The MTA hasn't announced plans for expanding the number of kiosks or adding them to additional stations.

Riders Can Check Eligibility, Get Updates

New Yorkers who think they might qualify for Fair Fares can visit the kiosks to learn about eligibility requirements and start the enrollment process, officials said. The program serves residents at or below 120% of the federal poverty level. Riders can also check Moovit for real-time service information on MTA subway and bus routes throughout the system. Officials said they'll continue working to make the enrollment process as simple as possible for eligible New Yorkers.