Summary

New York City residents may be eligible for several transportation assistance programs. This chapter contains information on a range of resources and discounts available to them, including:

• Access-A-Ride (AAR): AAR is the paratransit 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. Disabled individuals of all ages, including children, must be certified by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) 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 145% of the Federal Poverty Level (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

• Reduced/Half Fare: The MTA offers a reduced/half fare on New York City public transportation to older adults 65 and over and individuals with a qualifying disability. There are no income, resource, or immigration criteria to qualify and applications can be submitted . There are options to apply by mail, over the phone, or in-person, or online at https://new.mta.info/fares/how-to-apply-reduced-fare-metrocard.