After reading How the MTA Softens the Blow: Discount Programs & Limits, you asked “What about pregnant riders and parents?”
Support for Expecting & Family Riders: Real or Token?
1 min read
No MTA fare discount exists for pregnant riders or parents, who must rely on the income-based Fair Fares program.
Pregnant riders, parents, caregivers
There's no MTA fare discount or dedicated program specifically for pregnant riders, new parents, or caregivers. While the agency supports several rider-assistance initiatives, none address the unique financial or mobility challenges that come with pregnancy or childcare.
One symbolic attempt came in 2017, when the MTA handed out "Baby on Board" buttons to encourage other passengers to offer seats, a social cue, not a subsidy.
In practice, expecting or caregiving riders must rely on broader income-based programs like Fair Fares, which cuts subway and bus fares in half for low-income New Yorkers. Still, eligibility isn't tied to pregnancy or dependents, leaving many ineligible families paying full price.
As advocates point out, there's a gap between courtesy and policy, one that's yet to be closed for NYC's commuting parents.
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Published October 2, 2025
Sofia Chennow is a contributor for Tunnel Vision.
This article is part of the Fares series.