NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — Student OMNY cards give students major discounts on New York City’s transit system — but they’re still paying full price for some buses.
Proposed state law would allow students to ride express buses, which normally cost $7, for the price of normal fare. For New York City’s K-12 students, that would either mean $2.90 or free.
The discount would apply for three daily rides between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., according to state Senator Robert Carroll’s bill.
On Thursday the New York City Council unanimously voted to support the bill, calling on state leaders to pass it.
“There are over 80 express bus routes in NYC, which often serve transit deserts and neighborhoods underserved by subways,” City Council Member Amanda Farías wrote. “Students should be able to use express bus services to travel to and from school free of charge, like other students who utilize subways and local buses,”
Students are already given OMNY cards that allow for four free rides each day on the subway and local, limited and Select Bus Service buses. The cards are so desirable that some students have tried to sell them for hundreds of dollars.
The MTA recently announced Express Bus Service bus fare will also count towards OMNY’s fare cap, which ensures riders only pay for 12 rides in a week.
Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.