 According to MTA figures, only 2.1% of rides are single-ride fares.From the inauguration of IRT subway services in 1904 until the unified system of 1948 (including predecessor BMT and IND subway services), the fare for a ride on the subway of any length was 5 cents ($.05 in 1904 ; $.05 in 1948 ).On July 1, 1948, the fare was increased to 10 cents (), and since then has steadily risen.