How to apply for NICE Bus (Nassau Inter-County Express) — Reduced Senior Fare + ADA Paratransit (Nassau County) in New York

Who it's for

NICE Bus (Nassau Inter-County Express) covers Nassau County with fixed-route bus service and ADA paratransit. NICE senior fare ($1.50 vs $3.00) for riders age 65+ or Medicare card holders. MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) connects Nassau to NYC and is governed by separate MTA Reduced-Fare rules. Apply at the Nassau County transit operator or via MTA for Reduced-Fare MetroCard. Phone: 516-336-6600.

What you'll need

• Proof of Nassau County residency
• For senior fare: proof of age 65+ (or Medicare card)
• For paratransit: ADA-eligibility certification

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about NICE Bus (Nassau Inter-County Express) — Reduced Senior Fare + ADA Paratransit (Nassau County). I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need proof of Nassau County residency, for senior fare: proof of age 65+ (or Medicare card), for paratransit: ADA-eligibility certification — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Gather your required documents before applying. For the senior reduced fare, you will need proof of Nassau County residency and either proof of age 65 or older, or your Medicare card. For ADA paratransit, you will also need your ADA-eligibility certification.
2. Choose how you want to apply. You can apply online or by phone. To apply by phone, call NICE Bus at 516-336-6600.
3. Submit your application and documents through your chosen method — online or by phone — to the Nassau County transit operator.
4. If you ride the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to connect to New York City, note that LIRR reduced-fare benefits are governed by separate MTA Reduced-Fare rules. Contact MTA directly to apply for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard for those trips.

What to expect: After submitting, Nassau County will review your application and documents. Processing times vary, so contact NICE Bus at 516-336-6600 for an estimate. Once approved for the senior fare, you pay the reduced NICE Bus fare instead of the standard fare. If you applied for ADA paratransit, your eligibility will be confirmed before service begins. Keep in mind that paratransit eligibility requires periodic re-certification, so watch for renewal notices from the agency and respond promptly to avoid a gap in service. Your reduced fare benefit on NICE Bus remains ongoing as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

Renewals

ongoing; paratransit re-cert periodically