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New York residents and visitors aged 65 or older may apply for the MTA Reduced-Fare Program. The program provides half-price fares on eligible New York City subway and bus trips.
The current payment card for new applicants is called the Reduced-Fare OMNY Card. It replaces the card commonly known as the Senior Reduced-Fare MetroCard.
When applying by mail, include a recent passport-style photograph that meets the following requirements:
At least 2 inches high by 1.5 inches wide
Recent and clearly recognizable
Full front view of the face
Solid, uncluttered background
Only the applicant visible in the photo
Printed clearly without blurring or heavy pixelation
Write your full name on the back of the printed photograph before attaching it to the application.
You do not need to bring a separate printed photo when applying in person. The MTA provides free photography at participating application locations.
Applicants aged 65 or older may apply at:
MTA Customer Service Centers in selected subway stations
The Customer Service Center at 3 Stone Street in Lower Manhattan
Participating MTA Mobile Sales vehicles
Eligible senior applicants can often receive their Reduced-Fare OMNY Card on the same day. Some applications may require additional review.
To apply for an MTA senior reduced-fare card by mail:
Download and complete the application for people aged 65 or older.
Include a recent 2 × 1.5-inch passport-style photo.
Write your full name on the back of the photo.
Include a copy of an accepted document proving your age.
Sign the affirmation on the application.
Mail the completed application and documents to the MTA.
The MTA accepts several forms of identification for the senior Reduced-Fare Program, including:
A valid driver’s license or equivalent state document
A valid passport from any country
A valid state photo ID
An IDNYC card
A birth certificate together with photo identification
A Medicare card together with photo identification
Send only a photocopy of the identification document when applying by mail. Do not mail an original passport, driver’s license or other original identity document.
Stand or sit in front of a plain, solid-colored background. Position the camera at eye level and look directly into the lens.
Use soft, even lighting so that your face is clearly visible. Avoid strong shadows, glare and light coming from only one side. Keep your full face in view and maintain a natural, neutral expression.
The photograph should show your current appearance. Avoid beauty filters, artificial background effects and edits that change your facial features.
After taking the picture, upload it to the photo tool. The image will be cropped and prepared as a printable 2 × 1.5-inch MTA reduced-fare application photo.
Avoid submitting a photo that:
Is smaller than the required dimensions
Shows a side view or tilted head
Has a patterned or cluttered background
Is blurry, dark or heavily pixelated
Contains another person
Has strong shadows across the face
Is an old photograph that no longer reflects your appearance
Has been altered with filters or facial retouching
Does not fit in the photograph space on the application
Does not have the applicant’s name written on the back
The photograph should be at least 2 inches high and 1.5 inches wide. The photo must show a full front view of your face against a solid background.
The MTA now issues Reduced-Fare OMNY Cards to new eligible applicants. Many people still use “Senior MetroCard” when referring to the MTA Reduced-Fare Program.
People aged 65 or older may apply for the senior Reduced-Fare Program. People under 65 with a qualifying disability can use the separate disability application.
The MTA online application is not currently available. Applicants can apply in person or by mail.
You do not need to prepare a printed photo when applying in person because free photography is available at MTA application locations.
Yes. When mailing the application, write your full name on the back of the photograph.
A passport-style photo may be used when it is recent, at least 2 × 1.5 inches and shows a clear full-frontal view against a solid background.
The MTA specifies a solid background. It does not state in its current senior application that the background must specifically be white. A plain light-colored background is generally the clearest option.
Yes. A phone photo can be used as the source image as long as the resulting printed photograph is recent, clear, properly sized and shows a full front view of the face.
Eligible Reduced-Fare customers pay half the regular subway and local bus fare. Current prices should always be checked on the official MTA website because fares may change.