MTA announces OMNY payment system expansion after five million taps

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced that its new OMNY contactless fare payment system will be installed at 60 more subway stations during the month of January, including major station complexes such as Herald Square and 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center in Manhattan and Jay St-MetroTech in Brooklyn. The MTA also celebrated the OMNY system’s system’s five millionth tap.

To mark the expansion of OMNY, the MTA has also announced a new public information campaign including station announcements by NYC Transit President Andy Byford and MTA advertisements to more than 1,100 subway cars.

“The rate at which New Yorkers and visitors are using OMNY has surpassed our most ambitious estimates, and that’s a testament to the system’s popularity,” said Byford. “Five million taps this quickly is outstanding, and that pace will grow even faster as we add more stations. By the end of this year, this quick, easy and seamless way to pay will be available at every subway station and every MTA bus to help everyone move faster.”

By the end of January, riders will reportedly be able to use OMNY at nearly 150 subway stations, providing many more transfer points and opportunities to use OMNY for round-trips.

OMNY was built on global payment standards, and has been used by customers with bank cards issued in more than 116 countries on six continents. OMNY currently offers a full-fare, pay-per-ride option, and additional fare products will reportedly be introduced after all subway stations and bus routes are equipped with the new technology.

“With this next rollout, a critical mass of the riding public will be able to use OMNY —  with many being able to tap in on both ends of their trip,” said Al Putre, the MTA’s OMNY Programme Executive. “I can’t wait for all New Yorkers to be able to tap and go by the end of the year.”