Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
OMNY, which stands for One Metro New York, is based on the concept of unifying fare payments and ticketing across multiple modes of transportation. We believe that transportation is an essential service that connects communities and brings the diversity and energy of New York together. OMNY is the newest way to experience all that our region offers.
MetroCard will continue to be available until all comparable services are offered with OMNY.
OMNY is the MTA’s new fare payment system. OMNY will be phased in over time and will unify fare payments and mobile ticketing across subway, bus, and commuter rail, resulting in a seamless experience for customers. Learn more about OMNY.
The fares are the same for MetroCard and OMNY.
Yes. You can use an OMNY card – a contactless transit card – to tap and go throughout the system. Learn more about OMNY cards. You can also use MetroCard until the OMNY rollout is complete.
Yes. You can load an OMNY card with cash, either at OMNY vending machines in subway stations or at a participating store near you. Learn more about the OMNY card here.
You can also load cash to a reloadable prepaid card where reloadable prepaid cards are sold, and either tap that card at OMNY readers if it is contactless chip-enabled or use it to load value to an OMNY card
Cash will continue to be a payment option for Access-A-Ride when paratransit services are supported in OMNY.
Yes. You can buy a new OMNY card or reload an existing OMNY card at OMNY vending machines in subway stations or one of many retail locations across the New York metropolitan area. You can also reload an OMNY card online through an OMNY account as well as through the OMNY call center.
Members of MTA’s Reduced-Fare Program are now tapping with OMNY. Visit mta.info/reduced-fare to learn how to register for the program and receive your Reduced-Fare OMNY card.
Not yet. OMNY will expand to commuter rail during the next phases of the rollout.
This feature has been removed while we evaluate new tools to serve our customers. Please contact OMNY Customer Service by calling 877-789-6669 during the hours of 8 am to 8 pm Monday - Friday, and 8 am to 5 pm Saturday - Sunday or email us at customersupport@omny.info.
You can purchase a new OMNY card (for a $1 new card fee), load your OMNY card, check the balance on your OMNY card and purchase a Single Ride ticket ($3.25). All purchases made at an OMNY vending machine are final.
Prefer to skip the vending machine? You don’t need an OMNY card to ride. Use your own contactless credit, debit, or mobile wallet to pay the fare without a fee. Simply tap the OMNY reader and go.
Yes. Simply tap your OMNY card on the OMNY card reader and your balance will be displayed.
To translate the OMNY website into a different language, go to the bottom of the page and select your preferred language using the Google Translate feature.
OMNY customer service representatives can support many languages when you call. OMNY Customer Service representatives can also utilize a third-party interpreter service when a particular language skill is not available at the time of your call. The third-party interpreter service can support over 300 languages.
The AAR ID and AAR MetroCard is being replaced with a new AAR OMNY ID card. This card will serve as your new customer ID and includes your AAR ID number, photo, and Personal Care Attendant status if authorized. It will also give you the option of cashless payment for your AAR fare, which will eliminate the need to carry exact change for your AAR trip. You will still be able to pay for your trip with cash if you prefer.
Your new AAR OMNY ID card will also serve as a durable photo ID for AAR trips and can be tapped for up to four free trips a day on MTA subways and local, limited, SBS buses, the Staten Island Railway (SIR), and the Roosevelt Island Tram, if you’re eligible.
If you choose to go cashless with OMNY, the way you make a reservation will not change – you will simply request the trip to be charged to your OMNY card balance. Unlike the subway or buses, there are no OMNY readers on AAR or Broker vehicles, so you don't tap to pay for your trip; the cost of a trip will be automatically deducted from your card account at the end of the trip.
Learn more about the Access-A-Ride paratransit program here.
Yes! Simply tap your own contactless credit or debit card, smart device, or OMNY card on the OMNY reader to pay the fare. These are the same OMNY readers as those on MTA subways and buses and work the same way.
The fare for the Roosevelt Island Tram is $2.90 for full fare customers and $1.45 for reduced fare customers – the same as the fares for subway and for local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses.
When you use the OMNY reader on the Hudson Rail Link, you’ll be charged the same fares as on MTA local buses: $2.90 for full fare riders and $1.45 for reduced fare riders. Free transfers to or from subways or local buses are included within two hours of paying your fare. Plus, with the OMNY fare cap, you’ll never pay more than $34 in a seven-day period.
Yes! Simply tap your contactless credit or debit card, smart device, or OMNY card on the OMNY reader to pay the fare at the AirTrain-Howard Beach and AirTrain-Jamaica stations. No more waiting in line at the vending machines.
Select gates at each station are dedicated to OMNY while MetroCard remains available. You will be charged the full AirTrain fare of $8.50 for each tap.
Note: Note: You can pay for up to four riders at AirTrain OMNY readers. However, if this is your first time tapping a particular bank card on any OMNY reader, you can't use it to pay for other riders on the same trip yet. This is because your bank must approve the transaction before any other fares are paid. Approval generally takes a few minutes
Note: If you are connecting between Airtrain JFK and the MTA subway or bus, you’ll need to tap separately for each service (there is no dual fare entry at Howard Beach at this time).
OMNY cards are not available for purchase at either station at this time. However,you can purchase an OMNY card at participating retail locations around the city.
Yes. If you’re a part of the CUNY ASAP|ACE program, and you’re registered for classes, you qualify for an OMNY card. The CUNY ASAP|ACE OMNY card allows you to ride subways, local buses, Staten Island Railway (SIR), and the Roosevelt Island Tram for free during school sessions.
While your OMNY card will not provide free, unlimited rides between semesters, you can add personal funds to your ASAP | ACE-issued OMNY card to use it to pay the fare and ride public transit during intersessions. Be sure to add enough funds to cover the cost of the full fare.
Yes, you can add personal funds to your CUNY ASAP | ACE-issued OMNY card to use it to pay for transit modes not covered by your semester pass, such as Express Bus, NICE Bus, Westchester Bee-Line and AirTrain JFK. You will need to add your own funds to use these transit modes whether you ride during the semester or during intersessions. Make sure you have enough funds to cover any full fare trips you may take.
We are committed to keeping your personal information safe and secure. Please review the OMNY Privacy Policy to learn more about how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and protect your personal information.
