The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that the OMNY new fare payment system remains on pace for completion by the end of the year, with the system having recently recorded its 30 millionth tap since it was first rolled out at a handful of stations last year. Some 458 subway stations of the system’s 472 stations are now OMNY enabled as of last week, with all stations along the and lines now completed.
"OMNY is just about everywhere," said OMNY Executive Al Putre. "We've moved with incredible speed and precision despite the pandemic and in the coming weeks, first in the subways, and then on buses, anyone riding with NYC Transit will be able to pay their fare with OMNY. No more failed MetroCard swipes. Just tap and go. We are rapidly approaching completion of the rollout across subway stations and buses, while simultaneously moving forward with the next major phases of this project that will provide customers with a world class, modernized approach to paying their fare."
Payments with OMNY now account for 10% of the overall market share in the system at OMNY-enabled stations. More than 10,000 OMNY readers have been installed at subway stations and on buses throughout the system. Most of the recent reader installations have been in Brooklyn and Queens, with all stations in the Rockaways now complete.
Customers can see the stations and buses where OMNY has been activated at the OMNY website, https://omny.info.
Additional fare products are scheduled to become available in 2021, after the activation of OMNY across the entire NYC Transit system. A brief online tutorial for how to use OMNY is available here.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT MTA FARE PAYMENTS AND OMNY:
- A list of all subway stations and bus routes where OMNY is currently in use is at this link: https://omny.info/system-rollout.
- The MetroCard was first tested in the system in 1993, debuting to the larger public in January 1994. All turnstiles were MetroCard-enabled by May 1997 and all buses began accepting it by the end of 1995. Tokens were sold until April 2003 and acceptance was discontinued that May in subway stations and that December on buses.
- OMNY readers accept contactless cards from companies such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Fitbit Pay.
- Following the completion of OMNY installation at all subway turnstiles and on buses, the MTA will gradually introduce all remaining fare options and programs, including reduced fares for seniors and customers with disabilities, student fares, and more.
- In 2021, the MTA will introduce an OMNY card at retail locations throughout the New York region.
- Also in 2021, the MTA will begin to install new vending machines at locations throughout the system.
- Only after OMNY is fully available everywhere MetroCard is today, expected in 2023, will the MTA say goodbye to the MetroCard.
- Purchasing your fare with cash will remain an option. Additional info about OMNY is available at https://OMNY.info.