Just want to update everyone on the latest information on the NYC Subway & Bus fares

As of of March 3, 2013 the subway & bus fare will increase from $2.25 to $2.50.

The single ride card (purchased from a MetroCard Vending Machine or MVM) will increase from $2.50 to $2.75. A single fare card is valid for 2 hours from time of purchase. There are no transfers from subway to bus using this card.

The subway fare is paid using a MetroCard. If you purchase a MetroCard form the MVM or from a subway booth for $5.00 or more then a 5% bonus will automatically be added. Of course the bonus amount will not be enough to cover a full fare but you can add additional money ("refill") at any MVM or booth.

MVM's accept cash, credit and debit cards. Minimum credit/debit transaction is $2.50. Minimum cash transaction is 5 cents. There is a limit of 2 transactions per day per credit or debit card. If you are visiting form overseas and use a credit/debit card the MVM may ask for your 'Zip Code" - that is the 5 digit mailing code used in the US. If your card was not issued in the US then enter '99999' on the keypad on the machine and press the enter key.

Booths are cash only and minimum purchase is $5.00.

A regular MetroCard (known as a Pay-per-ride or PPR) can be used to cover fares for up to 4 people (as long as you put enough money on it).

***** Please note that as of March 3, there will be a $1.00 surcharge added to the cost of a NEW MetroCard purchased from a MVM or booth. There is no surcharge to refill an existing MetroCard.

Unlimited ride MetroCards:

7 day $30 (increased from $29)
30 day $112 (increased from $104)

Unlimited cards are intended for use by one person, meaning they cannot be shared. Once used the card is locked out for 18 minutes. The $1.00 surcharge applies to purchase of NEW Unlimited cards from a MVM or booth.

When the fare is paid by using a regular MetroCard on the subway, a free transfer to a bus is encoded on it (valid for 2 hours from when the fare was paid. The same applies if the fare was first paid on a bus - you can transfer to the subway or to another bus within the 2 hour limit.

Bus fares can be paid by using the MetroCard or in coins (no bills, pennies or Kennedy Half dollar coins).

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I would not normally recommend this but if you want to avoid the $1.00 surcharge (and you don't already have a MetroCard) and you should see a discarded MetroCard on the ground or near a MVM, look at it - if it hasn't expired (look at the date on the back) and the card is clean, and not bent, then use the refill function in the MVM or at the booth tell the station agentt you want to add - whatever amount you want - to the card.