If getting around New York City has become hard because of a disability or a health condition, you do not have to give up your independence. Access-A-Ride is a public transportation service run by the MTA. It is built for New Yorkers who cannot use the regular buses and subways. This guide explains who qualifies, how to apply, how much it costs, and how to book your trips. We have kept the steps simple and listed the phone numbers you need.
What Access-A-Ride Is
Access-A-Ride, often called AAR, is the MTA’s paratransit service. Paratransit is a special kind of public transit for people whose disabilities keep them from riding regular buses and subways. It is run by MTA New York City Transit.
Here is what you should know about how the service works:
- It operates within the five boroughs of New York City.
- It also reaches a small area just past the city line — within three-quarters of a mile into nearby parts of Nassau and Westchester counties.
- It runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.
- It is a shared ride. That means you may travel with other riders going in the same direction, much like a shared van.
- It meets the rules of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal law that protects people with disabilities.
Because Access-A-Ride is shared, it is not the same as a private car service. Your pickup time may be a little earlier or later than the exact time you asked for, and your ride may take longer if the vehicle stops for other passengers. Knowing this ahead of time helps you plan.
Who Qualifies for Access-A-Ride
You are eligible for Access-A-Ride if you have a disability or health condition that prevents you from using the public buses or subways. Age alone does not qualify you, and a disability alone does not automatically qualify you either. What matters is whether your condition makes it impossible or unsafe for you to use regular transit.
To decide this, the MTA looks at things like whether you can:
- Go up or down subway stairs.
- Travel to a subway station or bus stop on your own.
- Get on, ride, and get off a bus or subway.
- Find your way around the bus or subway system independently.
Based on your situation, you may be granted full eligibility (you can use AAR for any trip) or conditional eligibility (you can use AAR for certain trips, such as in bad weather or to places you cannot reach by accessible transit). The assessment, explained below, is how the MTA makes this decision.
Please verify current requirements before you apply, as eligibility rules can change. The MTA Eligibility Unit can answer your questions at 718-393-4306.
How to Get Started: Applying Step by Step
Applying takes a few steps, but each one is straightforward. Translation help is free during the whole process — applying, the eligibility review, and scheduling — so language should not be a barrier.
Step 1: Submit an inquiry
Start by telling the MTA you want to apply. You can do this online through the AAR inquiry form on the MTA website, or by phone. If you have questions, call the Eligibility Unit at 718-393-4306.
Step 2: Complete the paper application
After your inquiry is received, the MTA will mail you an application packet. The packet includes:
- A printed paper application to fill out and bring to your assessment.
- An appointment letter with the date, time, and location of your in-person assessment.
- Instructions for scheduling free round-trip transportation to that appointment.
If you travel with a Personal Care Attendant — someone who helps you with daily tasks — mention that when you book your transportation. There is no fare for you or your attendant on that trip.
Step 3: Attend your in-person assessment
Everyone applying for the first time, and everyone renewing, must visit an assessment center. There are centers in each borough, and the MTA will try to schedule yours in or near your home borough.
At the assessment, you meet with a healthcare professional for a personal interview. If appropriate, you may also do some functional testing — for example, showing whether you can manage stairs or board a vehicle. This helps the MTA understand what you can and cannot do and decide your eligibility status.
Step 4: Wait for the decision
A decision about your eligibility is made within 21 days of your assessment. You will be told whether you have full or conditional eligibility, or whether you were found not eligible. If approved, you will receive the ID card you need to ride.
How Much Access-A-Ride Costs
The Access-A-Ride fare is the same as the full fare on regular MTA buses and subways. As of January 4, 2026, that full fare is $3.00 per trip. When the regular subway and bus fare changes, the Access-A-Ride fare changes the same way.
A few important rules about paying:
- You pay upon boarding, in exact change or with your AAR payment card. Drivers cannot make change.
- You pay one trip at a time. Round-trip fares are not accepted, so pay for each leg of your journey separately as you take it.
- A guest who travels with you also pays the fare.
- An authorized Personal Care Attendant rides free. Your AAR ID must show that you are approved to travel with an attendant.
The MTA is moving Access-A-Ride to its tap-to-pay system. Over time, you will receive a new AAR OMNY ID card that replaces your old AAR ID and AAR MetroCard. You can add value to this card to pay your fare. Keep an eye out for it in the mail, and do not throw away mail from the MTA.
How to Book a Trip
Once you are an Access-A-Ride customer, you can book rides by phone or online. You must reserve one to two days in advance. Reservations are taken from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day.
Booking by phone
Call Access-A-Ride at 877-337-2017, toll-free, from the New York metropolitan area and nearby counties. From other areas, call 718-393-4999. Customers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or the free 711 relay service. Staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, though trip reservations are only booked during the 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. window.
Booking online or on your phone
If you have a computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can book and track your trips with the MY AAR app or the Manage My Trips tool on the MTA website. These let you put in trip requests and check the status of your rides without calling.
Terms to know before you book
Two words come up often when you book, and understanding them helps:
- Pickup time is the time you want the vehicle to arrive to get you. Because rides are shared, you may be offered a pickup up to an hour earlier or later than you asked for.
- Appointment time is the time you need to arrive at your destination — useful for a doctor’s visit or a class.
You can request a pickup time or an appointment time for a trip, but not both for the same trip. If your trip cannot be scheduled right away, staff may offer a “call back” and phone you with your pickup time by 7 p.m. that evening.
Common Issues and Tips
A few simple habits make Access-A-Ride work better:
- Book early. Since you must reserve one to two days ahead, plan your week’s trips in advance — especially for medical appointments you cannot miss.
- Be ready early. Your vehicle may arrive within a window around your pickup time, so be ready and watching for it.
- Carry exact change if you are not yet using an AAR OMNY card. Drivers cannot give change.
- Note your AAR ID number. You will need it if you ever call with a question or complaint.
- Ask about taxi authorization. During booking, customers may request taxi authorization, which can be a faster option for some trips. Ask the reservationist whether it applies to your trip.
If you ever have a problem with a ride, a driver, or your service, you can file a complaint through the MTA’s customer feedback form. Have your AAR ID number, full name, address, phone number, and the date and time of the trip ready so the MTA can look into it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I qualify for Access-A-Ride just because I am a senior?
No. Age by itself does not qualify you. You qualify if you have a disability or health condition that prevents you from using regular buses and subways. The in-person assessment determines your eligibility.
How much does Access-A-Ride cost?
The fare is the same as the full subway and bus fare, which is $3.00 per trip as of January 4, 2026. You pay each trip as you take it, in exact change or with your AAR card. An authorized Personal Care Attendant rides free.
How far in advance do I need to book a ride?
You must book one to two days in advance. Reservations are taken from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, by phone at 877-337-2017 or online through MY AAR or Manage My Trips.
How long does it take to get approved?
After your in-person assessment, the MTA makes a decision about your eligibility within 21 days.
Can someone ride with me to help me?
Yes. An authorized Personal Care Attendant can travel with you free of charge, as long as your AAR ID shows you are approved to travel with one. A regular guest may ride too, but must pay the fare.
Your Next Step
Access-A-Ride exists so that a disability does not keep you stuck at home. If you think you may qualify, the first move is simple: call the Eligibility Unit at 718-393-4306 or submit an inquiry on the MTA website to begin. Free translation help is available throughout. Once you are approved, booking a ride is a phone call or a few taps away — and the city opens back up to you.
For more help getting around the city, see our NYC Subway Accessibility Guide 2026, and to cut your regular transit costs, read about Reduced-Fare OMNY for riders 65 and older and people with disabilities.
Program details, fares, and eligibility rules can change. Always verify current requirements with the MTA before applying. Last verified against MTA sources on June 4, 2026.
