First Phase Of OMNY Pilot Program Successfully Completed

By Idy Perl

The MTA has been working to streamline their payment process by slowly transitioning customers to OMNY, the MTA’s contactless payment system, as was done with NYC students earlier this year.

Today, Mayor Eric and NYC DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park announced that the first phase of a pilot transition from Fair Fares program to OMNY was successfully completed.

OMNY will make it easier for working class New Yorkers, especially riders who use Reduced Fair, Access-a-Ride, Fair Fares, and other programs, to manage their transit funds. OMNY will also ensure that Fair Fares riders don’t pay more than $17 a week on public transit.

The transition to OMNY comes on the heels of the Adams administration implementing a Fair Fares eligibility expansion, which increased the income eligibility and made nearly 200,000 more New Yorkers eligible for reduced fares.

“New York City’s public transit system is the lifeblood of our city, serving New Yorkers all across the five boroughs. By bringing our world-class Fair Fares program onto the MTA’s digital OMNY system, we are making it even easier for working-class New Yorkers to access discounted rides on our trains and on our busses,” Mayor Adams said. “These discounts not only make our transit system more affordable and more accessible but are helping put money back into more New Yorkers’ pockets as we continue to make New York City the best place to raise a family.”  

During the first phase of the transition to OMNY, the Fair Fares discount will be available on Fair Fares issued OMNY cards, and all new program enrollees will receive a Fair Fares OMNY card instead of a Metrocard. OMNY cards can be filled with funds at more than 470 OMNY vending machines located in subway stations and retail locations across the city, as well as online or by calling OMNY customer service at 877-789-6669.

Current enrollees will receive an OMNY card automatically when they renew their enrollment or can request to receive one anytime. All active Metrocards will continue working until they expire.

In the second phase of the transition, participants will be able to apply their Fair Fares discount to preexisting OMNY cards, bank cards, or mobile devices, making it even easier and more convenient to save on transit costs.