Metro-North changing prices, policies

Metro-North train commuters will pay higher fares beginning Jan. 4, and unused paper or mobile tickets will expire the next day at 4 a.m., instead of 60 days later.

The latter is intended to prevent fare evasion; currently, passengers can wait to activate mobile tickets until a conductor appears, which may not happen during short trips.

Monthly and weekly tickets will increase by up to 4.5 percent, and all other tickets will rise by up to 8 percent, changes approved earlier this year by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.

Other changes include:

The surcharge for tickets purchased from a conductor or through the TrainTime app but not activated before departure will increase from $6 to $8. Mobile customers will receive a few initial warnings.

Round-trip tickets will become passes that expire at 4 a.m. the next day. Weekday passes will cost 10 percent less than two one-way peak tickets; weekend tickets will cost the same.

After 10 trips in 14 days, mobile ticket-holders will receive an 11th ride free in the same period.

Reduced fares will be available 24/7 for seniors, people with disabilities and Medicare recipients, including during the morning peak hours.

Children ages 5 to 17 can ride for $1 each when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, including during the morning peak hours.

The MTA is upgrading its vending machines to offer change in $5 and $10 bills instead of coins and provide translations in nine languages instead of three. The project is scheduled for completion by summer 2026.