Hoarding extra unlimited MetroCards won’t get you far after the MTA fare hike takes effect. The unlimited cards have to be activated by March 11 to get the full value, meaning riders have to start using them before that date.

Weekly cards will expire March 17, while monthly cards will expire April 9.

The approved fare hikes will increase a monthly card from $104 to $112. A weekly card goes up $1 to $30.

Riders using pay-per-ride MetroCards will start getting charged the new $2.50 base fare when the hikes take effect March 3.

(Source: NY1)