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Important 2026 Commuter Benefits Updates

Effective January 2026, several changes may impact your commute and your payroll deductions. Please review the following updates.

MTA Fare Changes and Your Payroll Deductions

On January 4, the MTA raised fares for various products (including MTA subway and bus service, Metro-North and LIRR). You can view a complete list of changes on the MTA website. These fare changes may affect your commuter benefits plan.

If you are enrolled in the Commuter Card-No Admin Fee (CC-No Fee) Plan:

  • No action is required.
  • Your employer has automatically increased your monthly payroll deduction from $132 to $140 to cover the new MTA New York City Transit 7-day fare cap of $35.

If you are enrolled in the Commuter Card-Unrestricted, Transit Pass, or the Access-A-Ride plan, action may be required.

  • Your employer has not automatically updated your payroll deduction.
  • Review your commuting costs and commuter benefits payroll deduction amount.
  • You may need to log in to your agency payroll portal to change your deduction to ensure your 2026 commuting costs are covered.

IRS Pre-Tax Limit Increase for Transit and Parking

The IRS monthly pre-tax contribution limit for transit and parking has increased from $325 to $340 for 2026.

  • This only affects you if your monthly commuter benefits deduction is greater than $325.
  • If you are affected, FISA-OPA has updated your pre-tax deduction to the new limit. You do not need to take action.


Access-A-Ride Plan Update

The MTA is no longer issuing Access-A-Ride coupons.

  • If you are enrolled in the Access-A-Ride Plan, you remain enrolled in the plan.
  • You can no longer order Access-A-Ride coupons from Edenred.
  • Edenred mailed you an Edenred Commuter Card in November.
  • Your Commuter Card is automatically loaded with the exact dollar amount of your commuter account balance.
  • Your payroll deductions are the same.
  • You will use the funds on your Commuter Card to fund your MTA AAR OMNY ID card.

If you are an Access-A-Ride Plan participant and have not received your AAR OMNY ID card, contact the MTA.

Visit the OMNY for Access-A-Ride webpage to learn more about how these changes may affect you.


MTA MetroCard Discontinuation

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has phased out MetroCards and moved to the OMNY contactless fare payment system. The Commuter Card, offered through the City of New York Commuter Benefits Program, is OMNY compatible and includes a range of convenient features:  

  • Tap and Go: Speed up your payment experience at OMNY terminals and avoid waiting in line at vending machines with the Tap and Go contactless feature.

  • Digital Wallet Compatibility: Add your card to your mobile phone's digital wallet to pay at OMNY readers.

  • Transit and Parking Flex: Enjoy interchangeable transit and parking funds.

Visit the Edenred website to see a list of where the Commuter Card will work.


Using Your Commuter Card for the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North Railroad

If you're using your Commuter Card at a Long Island Railroad vending machine and it prompts you for a PIN, there are two ways to proceed:

1. Retrieve Your PIN: You can obtain your PIN by logging in to your account, going to the Card Management page, and selecting "Request PIN". You can also obtain your PIN by calling 833-584-8109.

2. Use Tap-to-Pay: If you select "Credit" and use the contactless/Tap-to-Pay option, you do not need to enter a PIN.

If you're using your Commuter Card at a Metro-North Railroad vending machine, you will be required to enter a PIN for all transaction types. You can easily retrieve your PIN through one of the following methods:

1. Online: Log in to your account, go to the Card Management page, and then select “Request PIN”.  

2. By Phone: Call 833-584-8109, press 1, and follow the prompts to request your PIN.


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Important Note

The Commuter Benefits Program is for NYC government employees only and is offered by Edenred, the City’s commuter benefit provider. Members of the public, including businesses and their employees: get more information about the Commuter Benefits Law, or call 311. The Commuter Benefits Law requires certain businesses to offer their eligible employees a pre-tax transportation deduction.