Children under 44-inches in height can ride free on all local buses or subways as long as they are accompanied by an adult who pays a fare. Up to three children per adult can ride for free. On longer, more expensive express bus rides, for example between Brooklyn and Manhattan, children under two years of age ride free if they are able to sit on the lap of the accompanying adult.
Reduced-fare MetroCards are granted to seniors 65 years and older and to those with disabilities approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Those eligible to apply for reduced-fare MetroCards include people with disabilities, those with visual or hearing impairments, people who have lost both hands, have mobility issues, suffer severe mental illness or have an intellectual disability. Also those under the age of 65 who receive Medicare benefits may apply as a person with a disability. Using a reduced-fare pay-per-ride MetroCard means that only half of the regular fare is deducted from the card per fare. Seniors and people with disabilities can buy a seven-day unlimited-ride card for $13.50 as opposed to $27.00, a 14-day card for $25.75 compared to $51.50 and a 30-day card for $44.50 versus $89.00.
The Student MetroCard program was created by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the NYC Department of Education. MetroCards are granted to students in grades K to 12 at the discretion of each school's administrators and may cover half or all of travel fares. Eligibility and financial grants are based on the distance a student has to travel to get to school. According to the Department of Education, the cards may only be used between 5:30 am and 8:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Students whose fares are covered 100 percent may use the MetroCard for three trips a day. This is based on traveling from home to school, from school to an extra-curricular activity and from the activity back home. Half-fare student MetroCards are also based on three trips per day and can only be used on local buses. The MTA had been planning on cutting the Student MetroCard grant program due to financial difficulties. Luckily in June of 2010, it was announced that the city would provide $45 million and the state would contribute $25 million so that the program remains.
