Summary

Residents of New York City may be eligible to access various modes of public transportation if disabled, elderly, or low income. This chapter contains information on several resources and discounts for such individuals, which include:

• Access A Ride (AAR):  AAR is the para transit service for NYC residents and provides door-to-door service for eligible individuals who are unable to ride the public bus and subway system due to a temporary or permanent disability.  All disabled individuals, including children, regardless of age, must be certified by the NYC Transit to use AAR.  There are no income, resource, or immigration criteria to qualify. To begin the application process applicants must call AAR at 877-337-2017 to schedule an appointment with an assessment center in the borough where the applicant lives.

• Fair Fares (FF) NYC: FF allows qualifying NYC residents between the ages of 18-64, with income below 120% of the FPL, to receive a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares or Access-a-Ride fares.  There are no resource or immigration requirement to qualify.  Individuals apply for fair fares at https://a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra/fairfares. 

• Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Reduced/Half Fare: The MTA offers a reduced/half fare for seniors age 65 and over, as well as for individuals with a qualifying disability, on New York City’s public transportation. There are no income, resource, or immigration criteria to qualify. There are options to apply by mail, over the phone, or in-person, https://new.mta.info/fares/how-to-apply-reduced-fare-metrocard.