The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York functions as a comprehensive transportation system offering services including buses, subways, and commuter trains across the Greater New York area. In addition, the MTA oversees the management of numerous bridges and tunnels within New York City. Notably, the MTA has embarked on a significant initiative to modernize fare payment methods. This initiative, known as OMNY, introduces a convenient tap-to-pay system using credit cards or smartphones, replacing the traditional MetroCard swiping system.
While the rollout of OMNY marks a substantial step forward, integrating the new system with the existing MetroCard-operated services has proven to be challenging, resulting in several delays. Originally scheduled for a phase-out in 2023, the retirement of the MetroCard system has been indefinitely postponed. Recently, the acceptance of OMNY for payments on the JFK AirTrain has been introduced, providing commuters with a convenient payment alternative and signaling progress in the transition away from the MetroCard system.
What’s Up With OMNY?
Five years in, and only half of the subway and bus passengers are using the contactless payment system. While many single-fare riders are using the system, it’s still not available for students and those who are part of the NYC Fare Fares program. Only recently has the 7-day fare cap changed to a floating week instead of having set days and there’s no monthly ticket option available. To top things off, OMNY ticket machines that accept cash are only available at 30+ of the almost 500 NYC subway stations.
Many have forgotten that OMNY was supposed to be the fare system for the subway, buses, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and MetroNorth trains. The addition of the train system to the program wasn’t set to be complete until 2027.
Needless to say, after years of delays and cost overruns, the MTA has dropped the contractor developing the system. Instead, the MTA will use Masabi, the company that developed the popular MTA Train Time App, to complete the project.
The goal is to allow passengers to purchase a ticket that can be used for both the train and subway. It is planned that by the end of 2024, every type of fare should be usable with OMNY. Full integration of the train systems is scheduled to take place by the end of 2025.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
