Public transportation is one of the few services where built-in fare discounts are widely available—especially for seniors, students, and military veterans. If you fall into one of these categories, you may be missing out on significant savings simply by not knowing what you’re eligible for. The best part? Most of these discounts are easy to apply for and can cut your costs substantially.
Here’s a breakdown of how to access these fare discounts and where to find the most commuter-friendly policies.
Senior discounts on public transit
Most city transit systems offer reduced fares for riders age 65 and older. The discount typically ranges from 30% to 50% off standard adult fares. An example of such is the MTA New York City, which offers half-price rides for seniors using a Reduced-Fare MetroCard.
Most systems require an application with ID and proof of age. Processing times vary but are often under two weeks.
Student fare discounts
Students, especially those in middle school through college, often qualify for discounted or free fare programs. Many are coordinated directly through schools or educational institutions:
- Los Angeles Metro offers free GoPass TAP cards for K–12 students.
- Portland’s TriMet gives reduced fare access to youth 7–17 and high school students.
Always check with your school’s transportation office or local transit authority for eligibility and enrollment.
Veteran and military discounts
While not as standardized as senior or student fares, many transit agencies and intercity bus lines offer veteran or active duty military discounts: Veterans may need to show a military ID, discharge papers, or a VA card. Active duty members often just need to present their CAC.
Can you combine fare discounts with cashback apps?
Sometimes. For example, if you’re buying your fare card or ticket at a participating merchant like CVS or Walmart, you may be able to earn cashback using a digital gift card purchased through apps like Fluz. While you can’t stack these with transit-issued fare discounts directly, you can still save on purchases associated with the commute.
Use a Walmart gift card with cashback to reload fare cards, or a Greyhound gift card to book discounted military travel.
How to find your local discount
Visit your city or state’s public transit website and look for a “Fares” or “Reduced Fare” section. You can also use national directories like:
With a little planning, you can save on every trip—just by showing up with the right ID.
