Student Fare Programs: What You Need to Know

What help do students get?

For K–12 students in New York City, the MTA issues Student OMNY cards that allow free rides to and from school, including on weekends and any time of day. These taps work just like regular OMNY, with the same free transfer window and access across subways, local buses, Staten Island Railway, and more.

But there's a limit: the free access via Student OMNY only applies for school-related travel. It doesn't cover all trips indefinitely for every student.

Meanwhile, college and university students generally aren't eligible for the Student OMNY benefit. Many instead rely on Fair Fares, which offers 50% off subway and bus fares to low-income riders.

In short: younger students get generous access via the school-card system, while older students must often lean on discount programs or meet strict eligibility thresholds.