Honestly, it feels like 2016 again in New York City, and I don't mean that in a "nostalgic for the subway being cheaper" kinda way. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and if you haven’t looked out your window yet, the city is basically a slushy mess. We’ve got a "First Alert Weather Day" in full swing, and it’s the kind of Saturday where you really have to ask yourself if that bodega run is worth the freezing rain.
New York news today: A $3 ride and a snowy mess
The biggest thing hitting your wallet this morning is the MTA. As of this month, that iconic $2.90 fare is officially dead. It’s an even **$3.00** now. I know, a dime doesn't sound like much, but when you’re commuting five days a week, it adds up to an extra $260 a year just to stand under a leaky ceiling at Union Square.
The MTA is calling it a "gradual adjustment," but most of us just call it annoying. Along with the $3 subway and bus fare, those of you coming in from Long Island or Westchester are seeing LIRR and Metro-North monthly passes jump by about 4.5%.
Then there's the weather. Forecasters are tracking two separate snow systems hitting us this weekend. Right now, it’s a mix of light snow and rain with temperatures hovering around 35°F, though it feels more like 27°F because of the southwest wind. The DSNY (the "Strongest") has been out salting since midnight. They’ve got about 700 million pounds of salt ready, which is a staggering amount of grit if you think about it. We’re expecting maybe 2 to 4 inches in some spots by the afternoon, but the real headache might be Sunday when the second system rolls through.
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The Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul dynamic
Politics in the city has taken a weirdly cozy turn. If you follow the local drama, you know Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul haven't always been on the same page. But lately? They’re basically a united front against federal cuts.
In her State of the State address earlier this week, Hochul laid out a plan to dump $50 million into reimagining Jamaica Station. If you’ve ever been stuck in the labyrinth of Jamaica trying to find the AirTrain, you know that place needs a miracle. She also wants to push the Second Avenue Subway westward across 125th Street.
But there’s a massive elephant in the room: federal funding. With Washington cutting back on SNAP and health care credits, the state is looking at a potential $14.3 billion hole in Medicaid funding by 2030. Hochul’s solution? She’s doubling down on "affordability," a word she used about a dozen times in her speech, even while the subway fare was quietly ticking up to three bucks.
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Crime stats vs. the headline reality
You’ve probably seen the headlines about the Pokémon store robbery. Someone actually hit a shop at gunpoint and walked off with over $100,000 in rare cards and merchandise. It sounds like a movie plot, but it’s real life in NYC right now.
Despite those flashy, terrifying headlines, the NYPD’s actual data for the start of 2026 is surprisingly decent. Shooting incidents were down 24% last year—the lowest in recorded history. Even the subway, despite the fare hike and the occasional Spider-Man impersonator jumping the turnstiles, is statistically the safest it’s been since 2009.
But statistics don't always help when you're looking at a 4-alarm fire in Yonkers or the tragic hit-and-run in Brooklyn that claimed the life of former Nickelodeon star Kianna Underwood this week. It’s a city of contradictions; the numbers say one thing, but the "vibe" on the street often feels a lot more chaotic.
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What you need to do right now
If you’re heading out, here’s the deal:
- Switch to OMNY: The MTA is phasing out the MetroCard entirely. By the end of 2026, they won't even sell them. If you haven't moved to the "rolling fare cap" on OMNY (which limits you to $35 a week), you’re literally throwing money away.
- Check the LIRR/Metro-North App: One-way tickets now expire at 4:00 AM the day after you buy them. Don't hoard digital tickets anymore; they will vanish.
- Watch the Sunday Forecast: Saturday is "light" snow, but Sunday looks messier. If you have a Monday commute, keep in mind that DSNY won't be picking up trash on Monday for MLK Jr. Day anyway.
- Support Local: Small businesses in Queens are currently pushing back against federal funding cuts. If you’re in Ridgewood (which just had its second major fire in two weeks), check in on the local spots near Flushing Ave.
The city is changing fast. Between $3 rides, "Bladerunner 2.0" salt-tracking software, and the end of the MetroCard era, New York is definitely in a transitional phase. Stay warm out there.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Download the OMNY app or link your card today to ensure you hit the $35 weekly fare cap.
- If you are a commuter, update your TrainTime app to reflect the new 2026 fare schedules.
- Secure any loose outdoor items before the second snow system hits on Sunday morning.