MTA Announces Tap And Go Fare Technology Now Available to Nearly All Customers

Over 1.5 million Reduced-Fare Riders Receiving OMNY Cards in Mail

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that tap-and-go fare technology is now available to nearly all riders with the conversion of Reduced-Fare customers from MetroCard to OMNY. Reduced-Fare customers are the largest customer group to be made eligible for tap-and-go fare payments.

The MTA has begun mailing OMNY cards directly to the more than 1.5 million Reduced-Fare customers enrolled in the program, providing a seamless transition to the tap-and-go system. The new OMNY cards will enable current and future enrolled Reduced-Fare program customers to benefit from OMNY's convenience and financial flexibility to pay for subway and bus fares.

"Over 80% of full-fare customers have switched to OMNY because they know it gives New Yorkers the greatest bang for the buck," said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. "It's a major milestone that we can now offer to all Reduced-Fare customers who are some of our most frequent riders."

"Reduced-Fare rollout marks an important milestone in full rollout of tap-and-go to all riders," said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. "We have restructured our contract to ensure better, faster, and cheaper delivery of this crucial service, and today we're proud to celebrate a great win for riders everywhere."

"I'm thrilled that all Reduced-Fare customers will now be able to experience the ease and convenience of tap-and-go," said MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. "We want to make this transition as seamless as possible which is why we're hosting a webinar and encouraging customers to sign up for the Reduced-Fare OMNY newsletter to stay up to date on the latest."

"The tap-and-go system makes it as easy as possible to pay your fare and more riders are switching to OMNY every day," said New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. "Now Reduced-Fare customers can also enjoy the perks of seamless tapping all while we continue the work of delivering fast, reliable and safe service."

"Ensuring Reduced-Fare customers can access all the benefits of OMNY has been a top priority of mine since I started at the MTA," said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. "From tap-and-go to fare capping, OMNY gives older adults and customers with disabilities everything MetroCard did and more."

OMNY has been supporting the Reduced-Fare customers since October 2022 with 75,000 customers having registered their own bank card or digital wallet to tap-to-pay for their travel.

To help customers easily make the switch to OMNY, the MTA will host a webinar for the public to learn more about how to use their OMNY cards on Friday, Dec. 20 at 10:00 a.m. Participants can register here. Customers and stakeholders can also sign up for a newsletter to stay up to date with the latest information on Reduced-Fare OMNY cards including details on outreach events.

Eligible customers can apply in person for the Reduced-Fare program at New York City Transit's Customer Service Center located at 3 Stone St. in Lower Manhattan. Those aged 65 and over will receive their Reduced-Fare OMNY cards on the same day at that location, and customers with disabilities will benefit from in-person, individualized assistance. All Reduced-Fare customers will soon be able to also apply in person at Customer Service Centers and mobile vans throughout the five boroughs, coming in early 2025. For more information about the Reduced-Fare Program, including applying in person or by mail, click here.

This builds on recent continued OMNY milestones as more customers transition to the tap-and-go system. This school year, students also made the switch to OMNY, receiving Student OMNY cards instead of MetroCards that had been distributed to students citywide since 1997. Student OMNY cards also came with expanded benefits including 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year use and up to four free rides a day.

Transit customers have used OMNY to tap into the transit system nearly 2 billion times. OMNY market share accounts for more than 60% of New York City Transit customers, with full-fare subway rides rising to 81% as more and more customers trade in their 7-day MetroCards for the convenience and financial flexibility of OMNY's fare cap.

"The expansion of OMNY to include Reduced-Fare Program customers is a major step forward in making our transit system more accessible and convenient for all New Yorkers," said State Senator Leroy Comrie. "With the introduction of tap-and-go technology for Reduced-Fare riders, the MTA is modernizing the way over a million commuters travel every day. During my tenure as Chair of the Corps. Committee, I have pushed the MTA to pursue a commitment to equity, transparency and efficiency in our public transportation system, and I applaud them for delivering this much-needed upgrade to benefit seniors, individuals with disabilities, and other eligible riders."

"Thank you to the MTA for moving ahead with this important expansion, which will keep the MTA affordable for all New Yorkers during the transition to OMNY," said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez.

"The addition of OMNY tap-to-pay has revolutionized our subway system, allowing New Yorkers to pay for the train faster and in a more convenient manner than ever before," said State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. "I'm thrilled that the MTA is expanding OMNY so that Reduced-Fare customers can benefit as well. All current Reduced-Fare customers should check their mail for their Reduced-Fare OMNY cards, which are currently being sent out to them, free of charge. Anyone not currently enrolled but interested in signing up for this program should visit the MTA's website or call my office to learn how to apply."

"Anything we can do to make riding public transit more convenient and more accessible is a win," said State Senator Jessica Ramos. "I urge all my neighbors to check your mailboxes for your new Reduced-Fare OMNY cards. If you do not receive one, my office is open to help New Yorkers enroll in this cost-saving program to keep money in your pocket and transit riders moving through our city."

"As we continue modernizing New York's transit system, the transition from MetroCard to OMNY for Reduced-Fare customers is a game-changer," said Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. "This new technology makes commuting more convenient and accessible for over 1.5 million New Yorkers who rely on reduced fares. I applaud the MTA for taking this critical step to ensure our transit system is more user-friendly and inclusive for all riders. I encourage everyone to explore the resources available, including the upcoming webinar, to make this transition seamless."

"As we change the way most New Yorkers use our subways and buses, we must ensure that people receiving
Reduced-Fare benefits, overwhelmingly seniors and people with disabilities, are included in that transition," said Assembly Member Harvey Epstein. "Today's announcement to move the Reduced-Fare program to OMNY cards will ensure that the 1.5 million people enrolled will receive tap-and-go benefits."

"As an advocate for transit equity and as an MTA commuter, I'm thrilled that 1.5 million New Yorkers who are currently receiving reduced fare will continue to receive reduced fare via the OMNY card," said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas. "As a representative of a diverse working class community in Queens, I know that fair fares are an important need for the hardworking people of my district. This is a great step toward improving equitable access to public transportation."

"Accessible public transportation is a cornerstone of an equitable New York City," said Assembly Member Grace Lee. "This summer, my office partnered with the MTA to host informational sessions on the Reduced-Fare OMNY cards. With many in my district able to benefit from this program, I'm grateful to the MTA for advancing this effort and look forward to continuing our work to ensure accessible transit for all New Yorkers."

"The Reduced-Fare Program has proven its importance for our seniors and people with disabilities," said Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato. "As we look to expand the benefits, I appreciate the MTA taking the step to make it compatible with OMNY. By sending out new cards to existing users, we know that those who need this crucial service will continue to be able to access the affordable transportation they deserve without interruption."

"I am excited our Reduced-Fare riders can now participate in OMNY," said Assembly Member Steven Raga. "This a major step in efficiency for our riders as they can now reload and tap their cards conveniently. Thank you to the MTA for all their work for this transition."

"In an era of rising prices, affordable transit is essential," said Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar. "Our Reduced-Fare Program is a lifeline for 1.5 million New Yorkers, allowing them to commute to work, see their doctors, and visit loved ones. The transition from MetroCards to OMNY will make the program more accessible than ever, allowing users to tap and go instead of swiping, so they never have to worry about read errors. This is especially important for elderly and disabled program users who may have difficulty swiping. Using MetroCard, that will be a thing of the past, allowing all New Yorkers to enjoy the accessible, affordable transit they deserve."

"Modernizing transit accessibility is a key step in creating a more equitable and efficient system for all New Yorkers," said Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "The transition of the Reduced-Fare Program to OMNY represents a critical milestone in making public transit simpler and more convenient for our seniors, people with disabilities, and other Reduced-Fare riders. I commend the MTA for prioritizing accessibility and innovation, ensuring that millions of New Yorkers can benefit from this vital program."

"The Reduced-Fare program is what has allowed equitable access to the world's transit system. Many of my constituents are elderly, differently-abled, and/or on a fixed income and depend on public transit to move around," said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. "This transition to OMNY will bring them up to date with the rest of the system and hopefully ease the difficulty of accessing their reduced fare benefits."

"This is a meaningful step forward in improving the daily lives of so many in our city," said Council Member Kamillah M. Hanks. "Expanding the OMNY system to include Reduced-Fare customers, brings the tap-and-go convenience to 1.5 million eligible riders. This not only modernizes our transit system but also reinforces its accessibility and equity."

"As Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Health, I know how critical accessible, reliable transportation is to the well-being of all New Yorkers, especially our older adults, people with disabilities, and others who rely on reduced fare programs," said Council Member Lynn Schulman. "The transition to OMNY represents a major step forward in ensuring that every resident can travel with ease and dignity. I commend the MTA for modernizing this essential service and urge all eligible New Yorkers to take full advantage of this improved system."

"Transitioning Reduced-Fare customers to the OMNY system is a significant step forward in modernizing New York City's transit experience," said Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams. "This change ensures that over 1.5 million riders can enjoy the convenience and efficiency of tap-and-go technology, making public transportation more accessible for everyone. I commend the MTA for their continued commitment to improving equity and convenience for transit riders, and I encourage all Reduced-Fare customers to take full advantage of this innovative system."

"Ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to affordable and convenient transportation is a priority for our city," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "Expanding the Reduced-Fare OMNY cards is a significant step toward making our transit system more accessible to the 1.5 million New Yorkers who rely on it. These new cards will allow our residents to enjoy the tap-and-go convenience of OMNY, making it easier to navigate the city and access work, education, and other essential services. We look forward to sharing this important information with our constituents and ensuring every New Yorker can take full advantage of this vital service."

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