RFM and RFO
Customers now have two options to pay the Reduced-Fare Program fare. Reduced-Fare program participants may continue to use a validly issued Reduced-Fare MetroCard (RFM) or may instead use a valid OMNY Reduced-Fare payment method (RFO). An RFO is a customer’s single contactless payment method (credit/debit card, smartphone, or wearable device) that is linked to their Reduced-Fare Program account.
Rules regarding use of RFM or RFO
An RFM or RFO may only be used by the person to whom it was issued or registered. Use of an RFM or an RFO by any other person will result in suspension of the RFM card and its remaining balance or suspension of the RFO, and may result in civil and/or criminal penalties.
Eligibility for and use of an RFM or an RFO are subject to all tariff provisions, rules and regulations of the MTA and its affiliates and subsidiaries, including the New York City Transit Authority, and of any other transit system on which an RFM or RFO is accepted.
Transit systems now accepting RFM and/or RFO
A customer may use their RFM or their RFO to pay Reduced-Fare Program fares on MTA New York City Transit subways, MTA New York City Transit and MTA Bus local buses, express buses, and the Staten Island Railway.
An RFM, but not an RFO, may be used to pay the applicable reduced fares on Nassau Inter-County Express Bus (NICE), Roosevelt Island Tram, Westchester Bee-Line local buses and express bus.
Use of RFM (but not RFO) for proof of eligibility for Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad Reduced-Fare Programs
An RFM, but not an RFO, may be used by Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad customers when purchasing a ticket as valid identification to prove their eligibility for a reduced fare under LIRR and MNR Reduced-Fare programs. To receive the applicable reduced fare, the RFM must be shown to a station agent or other designated train personnel when a ticket is purchased.
Use of an RFM after obtaining an RFO
After you have obtained an RFO, you may continue to use the RFM to spend down its remaining balance until the expiration of the RFM. If there is still a balance remaining when the RFM expires, you may return the expired RFM to MetroCard Customer Claims using the process for returning damaged cards as described below and request a refund of the remaining balance. We will review refund requests on a case-by-case basis.
After you have obtained an RFO, you may continue to use the RFM for reduced fare payments on transit systems that accept the RFM but do not yet accept OMNY.
Expiration of RFMs
A RFM expires on the date printed on the back of the card. If you have been regularly using your RFM prior to its expiration date, and you have not obtained an RFO, a replacement RFM will automatically be sent to you at your address on file upon the expiration of your RFM.
If you obtained an RFO before the expiration of your RFM, you will not be sent a replacement RFM and should use only your RFO after your RFM expires. If you won’t be receiving a new RFM because you have registered an RFO, you must request a refund according the process outlined above in this document within two years of the RFM expiration date.
Otherwise, that remaining value will be forfeited.
Damaged or non-working RFMs
You may return an RFM that is not working or is damaged and request a replacement RFM either by mail or in person at the NYCT Customer Service Center. If you have obtained an RFO prior to submitting this request, you will not be issued a replacement RFM. You may request a refund of the RFM remaining balance when you return your RFM. We will review refund requests on a case-by-case basis.
To return the RFM by mail, ask a station booth agent or bus operator for a prepaid RFM return envelope. In the envelope you’ll find a form to fill out to describe the problem with the RFM.
If you cannot obtain a prepaid mailer, you may mail the RFM to MetroCard Customer Claims, 130 Livingston Street Brooklyn, New York 11201-9625. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number, your RFM that is damaged or does not work, and an explanation of the problem. If we determine that your claim is valid, we will send a replacement RFM to the address you have provided.
If you return your RFM by mail, you assume the risk of loss of your RFM if your card is not received by MetroCard Customer Claims.
Or you may return the RFM in person by visiting the NYCT Customer Service Center. The NYCT Customer Service Center is located at 3 Stone Street in downtown Manhattan and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lost or stolen RFMs
Immediately report a lost or stolen RFM by calling 511 or 718-330-1234 between 6 AM to 10 PM, or through the MetroCard eFIX system on our website, new.mta.info.
If you have obtained an RFO prior to the loss or theft of your RFM, you will not be sent a replacement RFM and should use your RFO. If you won’t be receiving a new RFM because you have registered for an RFO, please note that in your claim. We will investigate claims of lost or stolen RFMs on a case-by-case basis.
Lost or stolen debit or credit card that was used as your RFO
If your debit card or credit card that was being used as your RFO is lost or stolen, you should contact your bank or other financial institution. You can also suspend the lost or stolen card from the OMNY system through your OMNY account or by calling the OMNY call center at 877-789-6669.
When you receive a new debit or credit card that you want to use as your RFO, you can do so by visiting the NYCT Customer Service Center. The NYCT Customer Service Center is located at 3 Stone Street in downtown Manhattan and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..
Lost or stolen phone or wearable device that was used as your RFO
If the smart phone or wearable device that you used as your RFO is lost or stolen, you can have it suspended from the OMNY system through your OMNY account or by calling the OMNY call center at 877-789-6669.
When you obtain a new device that you want to use as your new RFO, if you are going to use the debit card or credit card that had been linked to the lost or stolen RFO, you need to link that card to your new device. Then you can activate the new device as your RFO simply by tapping at an OMNY validator in the system.
Verification of identity of RFM holder upon request
You must present your RFM for verification of your identity to a police officer or MTA personnel upon request.
No transfer of balances from full-fare to reduced-fare devices
Balances from a full-fare MetroCard or a full-fare OMNY account cannot be transferred to an RFM or an RFO.
Balances cannot be transferred between an RFM and an RFO.
Disclaimer
Neither the MTA, New York City Transit, or any other MTA affiliate or subsidiary, nor any other governmental agency or other entity that operates a transit system on which an RFM or RFO is accepted for payment or eligibility, including, without limitation, the County of Westchester, shall be liable for any special or consequential damages associated with or resulting from failures, disabling, or malfunctions of the MetroCard or OMNY systems, or of any RFM or RFO.
For more information about RFMs or RFOs, call 511 or 718-330-1234 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the free 711 relay or your preferred relay service provider to contact us. If applicable, have your RFM or RFO at hand so you can read the serial number and expiration date to the customer service agent who assists you. For additional information or assistance, you can also visit a mobile sales bus or van, or visit the NYCT Customer Service Center. The NYCT Customer Service Center is located at 3 Stone Street in downtown Manhattan and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.