Navigating Cash Payments For New York Buses

New York City's public buses are operated by the MTA and are an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to get around the city. The base fare for local and limited-stop buses is $2.75, while express buses cost $7. You can pay your fare on the bus using exact change in coins, a MetroCard, or a SingleRide ticket. MetroCards can be purchased from vending machines in bus stations and subways, as well as in local stores. OMNY, a new contactless payment system, is also available on buses and allows you to pay with a credit or debit card, smartphone, or wearable device.

Paying with exact change in coins

If you're planning on taking a bus in New York City and want to pay with cash, you can pay with exact change in coins. Here's what you need to know:

Local and Limited Buses

For local and limited buses, board the bus through the front door. You can pay with exact change in coins by inserting the coins into the farebox. The bus fare for most riders is $2.90. Please note that you cannot pay with pennies, so make sure you have other coins such as quarters, nickels, or dimes.

Select Bus Service (SBS) Buses

For SBS buses, you can pay with coins at a sidewalk kiosk before boarding the bus. Look for a kiosk that has a slot for coins instead of a MetroCard. Insert your exact change, up to a maximum of 25 coins. No change is provided, so make sure you have the exact amount. Take the paper SBS ticket that the machine prints and keep it with you during your trip. The base cost of riding an SBS bus is $2.75.

Express Buses

Express buses are not included in the OMNY fare-capping program, and you cannot use a regular Unlimited Ride MetroCard on them. You will need a 7-Day Unlimited Express Bus Plus MetroCard for these buses, which cost $7 for most riders.

Reduced Fares

If you are 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability, you are eligible for reduced fares. In some cases, you may be able to pay a reduced fare of $1.10 on the bus without needing a senior MetroCard. However, this may require showing identification, such as a Medicare card.

Paying with a MetroCard

• Locating the MetroCard Machine: Before boarding the bus, look for the MetroCard machine at the bus stop, usually on the sidewalk near the bus stop. These machines are available at Select Bus Service (SBS) stations and are clearly marked.
• Starting the Process: Once you reach the MetroCard machine, press the "Start" button to initiate the payment process.
• Inserting the MetroCard: After pressing "Start," insert your MetroCard into the machine. Ensure that the MetroCard is inserted with the logo on the front facing you and the black magnetic strip on the right side. All types of MetroCards are accepted, and there are no restrictions on specific card types.
• Receiving the Receipt: After inserting your MetroCard, the machine will process your payment and provide you with a receipt as proof of payment. Take this receipt and keep it with you during your entire bus ride.
• Boarding the Bus: With your receipt in hand, you can now board the bus through any of the three doors. There is no need to show the receipt to the bus driver, as your connecting transfer data is already encoded on your MetroCard.
• Keeping the Receipt for Inspection: While riding the bus, make sure to hold on to your receipt. At random times, MTA fare inspectors may request to see your proof of payment. Failure to present a valid receipt can result in a fare evasion summons.
• Understanding Transfer Policies: If you need to transfer to another bus or the subway, the transfer process is straightforward. Your MetroCard already contains the necessary transfer data, so you can use it to transfer to the subway or another bus. If you are transferring to another SBS route, you will need to insert your MetroCard into the MetroCard fare machine associated with that specific route to obtain a new proof-of-payment receipt.

Remember, the base cost of riding a Select Bus Service bus is typically $2.75, similar to the fare for the subway or local and limited-stop buses. Additionally, you can use your MetroCard for multiple rides, and it offers the convenience of automatic transfers without the need for a paper ticket.

Paying with a SingleRide ticket

SingleRide tickets are a valid form of payment on New York City buses. Here is a detailed guide on how to pay with a SingleRide ticket:

Purchasing a SingleRide Ticket

SingleRide tickets can be purchased from MetroCard Vending Machines (MVMs) found in most subway stations. These machines accept cash, credit, and debit cards. A SingleRide ticket costs $3.25 and is only available for cash at the large vending machines. A $1 fee is applied to each new MetroCard purchase, but this does not apply to SingleRide tickets.

Using a SingleRide Ticket on a Bus

When boarding a local, limited-stop, or Select Bus Service, you can pay with a SingleRide ticket. You must board and pay at the front of the bus, except for Select Bus Service routes, where payment kiosks are on the sidewalk next to the bus stop. Insert your SingleRide ticket into the farebox near the driver.

Transferring Buses or Subways

SingleRide tickets are valid for one ride within two hours of purchase on local buses and the subway. One bus-to-bus transfer is allowed, but transfers between buses and subways in either direction are not permitted. If you need to transfer from a local bus to a subway or vice versa, you can request a transfer ticket from the bus operator.

Paying with a contactless credit or debit card

If you are using a phone or other mobile device, you may need to open your "wallet" app, depending on your device. Express Mode on Apple phones works with OMNY—just tap and go. The OMNY reader will instantly confirm if the tap was successful, and you will hear an audible chime. Your fare is valid for 2.5 hours, and you can board any combination of buses during this time.

With OMNY, you earn free rides as you go. If you tap again after 2.5 hours, you will be charged for a second fare. However, if you pay for $100 worth of rides in a calendar month, you automatically earn a Month Pass, which means you can ride for free for the rest of the month. No matter how much you ride, you will never pay more than $100 in a month.

It's important to remember to tap the OMNY reader every time you board a bus, even when transferring. You won't necessarily be charged every time you tap, but your tap serves as proof of payment. Using the same card or device for both legs of your trip will get you a free transfer. Additionally, if you pay for 12 rides using the same card or device in a 7-day period, all additional rides within that week are free.

Paying with a smartphone or wearable device

You can pay your fare on New York City buses using your smartphone or wearable device. OMNY is accepted on all New York City buses and is the easiest, most flexible way to pay your fare. OMNY is a contactless tap-to-pay system. You don't need to sign up or download an app to use OMNY. Simply tap your smartphone or wearable device on the OMNY reader, a rectangular screen near the driver, as you enter the bus. If you are using a phone or other mobile device, you may need to open your "wallet" app, depending on your device. Express Mode on Apple phones works with OMNY.

On local, limited, and express buses, you must enter and use the reader at the front door. On Select Bus Service (SBS) buses, you can enter at any door and use the reader there.

You can also use your smartphone or wearable device to pay for your fare at the MetroCard Machine. Press the start button, insert your MetroCard, take your receipt, and enter through any of the three doors.

If you are using a smartphone, you can use Apple Pay on an iPhone, or Google Wallet or Samsung Wallet on an Android device. To set up Apple Pay, open the Wallet app, tap the plus sign in the upper-right corner, choose Debit or Credit Card, and tap Continue. Add your card by scanning it with your phone or by entering your information manually. You must then validate the card through email, text, or a phone call to the bank before it can be added to the Wallet app.

To set up Google Wallet, open the app and tap Add to Wallet, then Payment Card. Add your card by scanning it or entering the details manually, confirm and save the details, and accept the bank terms. Verify your identity to the bank through a text or email, and the card is ready to use.

To set up Samsung Wallet, download the app from Google Play if you don't already have it. Open the app and tap Continue, then sign in with your Samsung account and grant the necessary permissions. Set up your verification method, such as fingerprint recognition. Choose to use Samsung Wallet for contactless payments and confirm that you want to replace Google Pay as your default app for contactless payments. Tap the Add button to add a payment card, choose Payment Cards, and then select Add Payment Cards. Add your card by scanning the card number or entering the numbers manually, fill in the expiration date and CVV code, and agree to the terms of service. Verify the card through text message, email, or a phone call to the bank. Make sure Set as default transit card is enabled, then tap Done.

Frequently asked questions