Zohran Mamdani, the newly inaugurated Mayor of New York City, made headlines with his ambitious campaign promise to transform the city’s bus system by making it “fast and free.” However, as Mamdani steps into office, he faces a significant challenge: the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) holds the reins over the city’s buses, not the municipal government.

Despite Mamdani’s vision for a no-cost transit experience in the Big Apple, commuters will soon encounter the opposite—a fare increase set to take effect in just a few days. Starting January 4, the base fare for bus rides will see a slight uptick, impacting riders across the city.

During the early hours of January 1, 2026, Mamdani was sworn in at the historic Old City Hall Station, marking the beginning of his mayoral term. Yet, this symbolic event comes with the stark realization that implementing his transportation agenda will require navigating the complexities of the city’s governance structure and the MTA’s authority.

As Mamdani embarks on his tenure, New Yorkers keenly watch how he plans to reconcile his campaign aspirations with the realities of the city’s transportation framework.

The small increase in the base bus fare will go into effect on January 4. 

“The base fare for subways, local buses, and Access-A-Ride will increase 10 cents, from $2.90 to $3,” according to the MTA. “The reduced fare will increase from $1.45 to $1.50.” 

Another change is already in effect as of New Year’s Day.

“As of January 1, 2026, you can no longer buy or refill a MetroCard,” according to the MTA. 

At some point in 2026, the MetroCard will no longer be accepted, and coins will no longer be accepted for bus fares, according to the MTA. 

Signage advertising subway fare increases at the Dekalb Avenue subway platform in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.  (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“If you still have a valid MetroCard, you can transfer the value to an OMNY Card at a Customer Service Center. You can also spend down the remaining value before it expires by paying for subway and bus rides,” the MTA has noted. “Once cash is no longer accepted on buses, you will still be able to use cash and coins to add value to an OMNY Card at vending machines in every subway station and at more than 2,700 retail locations.”