omny

The transit agency is upgrading the digital payment system ahead of the planned phaseout of MetroCards at the end of this year.

OMNY will replace MetroCards in 2024.

These frequent riders saved more than $1 million in fares, according to the MTA.

Want to become an early adopter of the new OMNY payment method for mass transit? Here's a guide to get you started.

People who don't have—or want to use—a smart phone or chip-enabled credit card could use cash to buy a physical OMNY card.

The agency is also rolling out discounts for commuter rail riders later this month. Monthly Long Island Railroad and Metro-North passes are being sold for 10% off, and users who purchase 20 peak-hour tickets will get 20% off as well.

Still, despite delays in rolling out some features, the MTA reported a quarter of subway and bus riders now pay for their trip with the contactless payment system.

That’s the equivalent of 12 $2.75 rides, so the savings kicks in for OMNY users who use the subway 13 times or more during the seven-day period.

Riders who use OMNY can only buy a single ride for $2.75.

Despite dire reports this week, the MTA insists there are no plans to permanently stop accepting cash transactions at subway booths, which has been on pause since March 2020—but there also is no plan to bring them back.