Informational Webinar on How to Transition from Reduced-Fare MetroCard to OMNY on Tuesday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m.
Remaining Reduced-Fare Customers Encouraged to Make the Switch to OMNY
Watch How-To Use Reduced-Fare OMNY Card Video Here
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that more than 55 percent of Reduced-Fare customers are using the contactless tap-and-go payment method to ride with the MTA. By the end of January 2025, the MTA mailed over 1.3 million OMNY cards to existing Reduced-Fare MetroCard customers to facilitate the switch and are encouraging remaining customers to join their fellow riders in switching to OMNY. Additionally, a public webinar will be held on Tuesday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m. where MTA representatives will discuss the transition from MetroCard to OMNY, including how to spend down the MetroCard balance and utilize the new benefits of OMNY. Members of the public can register here.
“Reduced-Fare customers have shown great interest to move over to the tap-and-go payment method and today’s milestone proves that,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “Every day, more riders are experiencing for themselves the convenience and ease OMNY brings to their travel experience, and we encourage remaining users to make the switch – not only to ensure a smooth transition for when the MetroCard retires but to also take advantage of the benefits.”
"We are thrilled to see more and more Reduced-Fare customers accessing all the benefits of OMNY,” 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 in a much more simplified way."
“More than half of our Reduced-Fare customers agree: tap-and-go is the way to go for a smooth, seamless ride on the subway or the bus,” said New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “With updates like this tap-and-pay technology, we are simplifying commutes and encouraging the use of mass transit for everyone – especially the over one million New Yorkers who benefit from reduced fares.”
Reduced-Fare OMNY cards are accepted on MTA buses, subways, Staten Island Railway, Roosevelt Island Tram, and Hudson Rail Link. Reduced-Fare customers who take Bee-Line or NICE buses should hold on to their Reduced-Fare MetroCard until OMNY is available on these services.
While optional, customers are encouraged to register their card on OMNY.info. The steps are as follows:
- Create an account with an email address
- Add the OMNY card as a Travel Card in the OMNY wallet and enter the card’s information
- Add value or set up automatic refills
Once customers have loaded value to their Reduced-Fare OMNY card, it can be used right away. Watch this video for more guidance. In addition to loading the OMNY card online, customers can add value at OMNY vending machines, participating retail locations, or at any of the Mobile Sales Van locations (cash not accepted at mobile locations).
Get a Reduced-Fare OMNY Card on the Spot
In the event that a Reduced-Fare MetroCard holder did not receive their Reduced-Fare OMNY Card, they can visit any of the 15 Customer Service Center locations at select subway stations, Mobile Van locations, or in Lower Manhattan at 3 Stone St. Balances on MetroCards can be spent down or transferred to a Reduced-Fare OMNY card.
For individuals 65 or older, and who have never had a Reduced-Fare account, can apply and receive a Reduced-Fare OMNY card the same day at any of these Customer Service Centers. Only a valid photo ID is needed.
Any person with a qualifying disability may apply for a Reduced-Fare OMNY card and will need to provide additional information. To see the complete application checklist for a Reduced-Fare OMNY card, visit https://www.mta.info/fares/reduced-fare/omny.
Why Set Up an Online OMNY Account?
Reload your card on the go. Customers can check their card balance any time and either manually reload their card or use the automatic reload feature to ensure there is always sufficient funds on their card.
Track your progress toward earning free rides. Pay 12 fares in seven days and the rest of your rides for those seven days are free.
Declare your card lost or stolen. Protect the balance on your OMNY card if it’s ever lost or stolen by suspending it from use in the OMNY system. Simply sign in to your OMNY account and click Suspend. Customers must visit an in-person customer service center to receive a replacement. Customers are advised to make a note of the 18-digit serial number or take a picture of their new OMNY Reduced-Fare card.
Customers who prefer to use cash can reload at any of the OMNY vending machines located throughout the subway system or visit a participating OMNY retail location
All Reduced-Fare OMNY card holders can check their balance at any OMNY vending machine at subway stations by just tapping their card against the reader.
More Information
For more information about the Reduced-Fare Program, including applying in person or by mail, click here. Besides the multiple locations listed above where customers can visit in person, Reduced-Fare riders can always call 511 for assistance or information.
For a program that helps New Yorkers with low incomes, the City has a program called Fair Fares that offers the same 50 percent discount as the MTA’s Reduced-Fare program. For more information about this program, check out their webpage here. In February 2025, the MTA and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) announced the transition of the Fair Fares program to OMNY following the conclusion of a successful Fair Fares pilot.