Is there a disount for seniors on the subway. When I was in New York two years ago I asked at the subway counter and was told it was only for residents. Since then I've been led to believe that visitors could get this discount as well. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks , aferrick

You don't have to be a resident to get the reduced rate, but I thinl you you do have to apply--either by mail or in person. http://www.mta.info/nyct/fare/rfabout.htm

Practically speaking, you can't very easily get the senior discounted metro card unless you are a resident or take the time to apply for the senior card. However, any senior with a Medicare card can usually get the senior discount on a bus (but you have to be willing to pay in cash and will not get the free bus to subway transfer available to those with a metro card).

My understanding is that they will only mail senior passes to NYC addresses - but I may be wrong. After all, city taxes pay for a large part of the subway system, why should people who don't pay them get a free ride? If the transit system were substantially supported by the federal government it would be different - but the city carries the load for all sorts of things that in most countries would be paid for by the central government - do you have ANY idea how much the UN alone costs us? - that we get sensitive about giving things away free.

(NYC residents pay almost 4% city income tax on top of about 8% state income tax and more than 8% sales tax. When we're paying so much giving things away to people who don;t pay the taxes isn't real popular.)

Unless it's changed in the past few months, it's very simple for a senior--any senior--to ride at the half-fare rate. Just go to a booth and present your Medicare card and you get the discounted rate for two rides.

HowardR, I don't think that works. At the 5 or 6 stations I use a week, there are no attendants at all, just machines. And the "token booth" clerks are now "information agents" and do not even sell metrocards -- they point you to a machine or occasionally will be out by the machines helping people figure them out.

nytraveler , I thought that any senior can apply for the discount card, but it isn't practical for most short term visitors. There is no stipulation that a person be a NYC resident. ANyone can go to the walk in center http://www.mta.info/nyct/fare/rfcenter.htm
"If you are 65 or older
Bring proof of age - driver's license, Medicare card or birth certificate (one must have a photo)
We'll help you complete your application, and take your photograph.
Notary not necessary
Leave with your new Reduced-Fare MetroCard "
If you apply by mail (5 page application) you need to have it notarized and attach a passport sized photo

I don't know specific regs - but a neighbor of mine tried to get one for her visiting mom(several weeks) and was unsuccessful. Perhaps they didn't do it far enough in advance.

I think you can get one if you go to the office in person and fill out the paperwork there. But otherwise, it's really difficult, if not impossible, to get it by mail unless you are a resident.

We just got these passes. Easy to do.
Download forms and mail in with proof of age and a passport photo took 6 weeks.
Use Easy Pay to keep it filled with 10 dollars credit.
You can cancel this option and get a refund any time.
I called and was told they could be mailed anywhere not only to NY.

This senior Metropass also works for buses.

I wasn;t asking for a political statement on the wisdom of having a seniour discount I was just asking how to get it if indeed it is meant for everyone. I wonder how high your taxes would be be if all visitors stayed home.

Aren't there still booth attendants at the major stations (Grand Central, Times Square, etc.), where seniors can easily get the half-price fare tickets?
aferrick, I can assure that the majority of us New Yorkers are NOT of that "anti-tourist-discount" viewpoint!

If all the visitors stayed home our taxes would be lower - I don;t know by how much - since so many of our "visitors' are non-paying.

And I'm not against tourists - I think everyone should visit New York. But as in Europe - where many discounts are open only to citizens (tax payers) it only seems fare that those who don't pay taxes should pay full price.

The original post was hardly intended to start off a political discussion (or diatribe).

nytraveler - any visitor to this town pays taxes - via hotel room, sales tax, restaurant meals, etc. etc. There is a reason that the discount is available to seniors - and it does not relate to where they live - it relates to their age and the assumption that they are living on a limited budget. Europe has nothing to be proud of by limiting it only to local residents.
And - station agents will sell any senior a round trip senior pass - $2.25 for two trips (half price). They can ask to see your SS card. I forgot my senior pass the other day so I just bought one from a station agent.

I live in Seattle and when I was in NYC for the month of August, 2010, I went to an office in the Wall Street area, qualified for the senior discount, and for $42.50 purchased a card that gave me unlimited bus and subway rides for 30 days. An unbelievable travel bargain.

HTTY

Erratum: "August, 2010" should read "August, 2009" as 8/2010 has not yet arrived.

HTTY

"as 8/2010 has not yet arrived.
HTTY"

for you it hasnt; but for some it may have already passed.

Standard $10 metrocard gives you $1.50 extra. just add $2, and you get 1 fare left. $20=$23. plus, free bus transfers. what more could you ask for? oh, ye, free fare.

Happy Trails

I was going to ask what else happened in August especially lottery numbers.

And when it is time for renewal*, they mail you a form three months in advance asking if you wish to renew & voila, it is mailed to you. *good for two years