$2.90, for a N.Y.C. subway ride NYT crossword clue

The answer to the clue “$2.90, for a N.Y.C. subway ride” is FARE.

This clue is asking for the standard term used to describe the cost of public transportation. In New York City, $2.90 is the current base price for a single subway ride, and that cost is referred to as the “fare.” It’s a straightforward clue that relies on recognizing the context of city transit pricing, making FARE the correct and expected answer.