New York City’s reduced-fare transit riders now have access to OMNY, the tap-and-go payment system set to replace MetroCards for discounted fares, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced Friday.
The expansion impacts seniors aged 65 and older, as well as New Yorkers with disabilities—groups that make up the largest segment of the reduced-fare program, encompassing nearly 1.5 million participants citywide.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber hailed the transition as a significant achievement for the agency. “This is more than just an announcement. Reduced-fare customers are already receiving their OMNY cards in the mail,” Lieber said during a press conference.
The shift from MetroCards to OMNY does not alter the benefits of the reduced-fare program. Riders will continue to pay half-price fares on subways, buses, the Staten Island Railway, the Roosevelt Island Tram, and the Hudson Rail Link. Free transfers between modes of transit will also remain available for OMNY users.
Currently, applications for the reduced-fare program must be submitted in person at the NYC Transit Customer Service Center in Lower Manhattan. However, MTA officials plan to expand in-person application services to additional customer centers and mobile units across all five boroughs by early 2025.
Lieber emphasized OMNY’s streamlined design, which automatically calculates the most cost-effective fare option for riders. “No more deciding between a $30 weekly pass or a $100 monthly pass. Just tap and go—the system ensures you get the best deal,” he explained.
Jamie Torres-Springer, president of MTA Construction and Development, noted that the transition to OMNY benefits all riders by improving the speed and efficiency of commuting. “We’ve restructured our contracts to deliver this critical service faster, better, and at a lower cost. Today marks a win for everyone who relies on public transit,” he said.
State Senator Jessica Ramos of Queens encouraged her constituents to check their mailboxes for the new OMNY cards and offered her office’s assistance to those who haven’t received theirs. “This program is about saving money while keeping our city moving,” she said.
OMNY has rapidly gained traction among New Yorkers, with over 80% of full-fare riders now using the contactless system instead of MetroCards. To date, transit users have tapped into the system nearly 2 billion times, according to MTA officials.
This summer, the agency hit another milestone when 1.1 million public school students transitioned from MetroCards to OMNY. The change granted students access to four free rides per day—up from three—and extended card availability to 24/7 year-round, replacing the previous restrictions tied to school hours.
