OMNY

File:NYC Subway RFID.jpg, 2007|alt=]]

Subway tokens had been used for fare payment in New York City since 1953. Starting in 1992, they were replaced by MetroCards made by Cubic Transportation Systems, which used magnetic stripes to encode the fare payment. By 2003, tokens had been completely phased out.{{Cite web |date=October 19, 2002 |title=About NYC Transit – History |url=http://web.mta.info/nyct/facts/ffhist.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920202817/http://web.mta.info/nyct/facts/ffhist.htm |archive-date=2016-09-20 |access-date=September 18, 2016}}

MasterCard and Citibank funded a trial of contactless payments, branded as PayPass. The trial was conducted at 25 subway stations, mostly on the IRT Lexington Avenue Line,{{efn|The following subway stations participated in the 2006 trial:

• 23 stations on the IRT Lexington Avenue Line from 125th Street to Bowling Green
• Borough Hall/Court Street in Brooklyn
• 23rd Street-Ely Avenue in Queens}} beginning in July 2006. The trial was limited to select Citibank cardholders, but it proved popular enough to be extended past its original end date of December 2006.{{Cite news |last=Chan |first=Sewell |author-link=Sewell Chan |date=January 31, 2006 |title=A Test at 25 Stations Subway Riding Without the Swiping |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/31/nyregion/31fare.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023200233/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/31/nyregion/31fare.html |archive-date=October 23, 2015 |access-date=February 10, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web |url=http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/08/05/the-future-of-the-metrocard-part-3/ |title=The Future of the MetroCard Part 3 |last=Steinemann |first=Jeremy |date=2009-08-05 |website=Second Ave. Sagas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811041553/http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/08/05/the-future-of-the-metrocard-part-3/ |archive-date=2009-08-11 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Bacheldor |first=Beth |date=2006-01-31 |title=RFID to Ride N.Y. Subways |url=https://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?2112 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124175650/https://www.rfidjournal.com/rfid-to-ride-n-y-subways |archive-date=2023-01-24 |access-date=2019-08-02 |work=RFID Journal}}{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2006/02/01/select-customers-to-trial-rfid-nyc-subway-pass/ |title="Select customers" to trial RFID NYC subway pass |last=Blass |first=Evan |date=February 1, 2006 |website=Engadget |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060203025204/https://www.engadget.com/2006/02/01/select-customers-to-trial-rfid-nyc-subway-pass/ |archive-date=2006-02-03 |url-status=live}}

In light of the success of the first contactless payment trial in 2006, another trial was conducted from June to November 2010.{{Cite press release |url=https://newsroom.mastercard.com/press-releases/new-jersey-and-new-york-transit-agencies-partner-with-mastercard-on-tap-go-payment-system-to-enhance-commuter-experience/ |title=New Jersey and New York Transit Agencies Partner with MasterCard on Tap & Go Payment System to Enhance Commuter Experience |date=2010-06-01 |work=MasterCard |access-date=2019-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801213758/https://newsroom.mastercard.com/press-releases/new-jersey-and-new-york-transit-agencies-partner-with-mastercard-on-tap-go-payment-system-to-enhance-commuter-experience/ |archive-date=2019-08-01}}{{cite news |last=Kaminer |first=Ariel |title=Testing PayPass on New York's Buses and Trains |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 11, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/nyregion/13critic.html |access-date=March 25, 2016 |archive-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109181702/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/nyregion/13critic.html |url-status=live }} The 2010 trial initially only supported MasterCard-branded cards, expanding to Visa PayWave cards in August.{{Cite news |url=https://issuu.com/erausa/docs/the_era_bulletin_2010-07 |title=Commuter and Transit Notes |last=Glucksman |first=Randy |date=July 2010 |work=The Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |issue=7 |volume=53 |pages=10 |access-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304233453/https://issuu.com/erausa/docs/the_era_bulletin_2010-07 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ridenewyorknewjersey.com/about.html |title=About the Trial |website=NY/NJ Transit Trial |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118084548/http://www.ridenewyorknewjersey.com/about.html |archive-date=November 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 25, 2016}} The 2010 trial eventually expanded to include multiple Manhattan bus routes, two New Jersey Transit bus routes, and most PATH stations.{{efn|The following bus routes and subway stations participated in the 2010 trial:

• the IRT Lexington Avenue Line ({{NYCS trains|Lexington}}) from 138th Street–Grand Concourse or Third Avenue–138th Street stations in the Bronx to Borough Hall station in Brooklyn,
• the {{NYC bus link|M14|M23|M79|M86|M101|M102|M103}} New York City Transit local bus routes, and the BxM7 MTA Bus express bus route,
• most of the PATH train stations (except for {{stl|PATH|Christopher Street}} and {{stl|PATH|Ninth Street}}),
• #6 (Ocean Avenue – Journal Square), #80 (Newark Avenue), and #87 (King Drive) New Jersey Transit bus routes.
• A new route service was added at an unknown date: one was able to use the Newark Liberty International Airport's AirTrain monorail system to terminals A, B, and C and the long-term parking areas of the airport. However, this was only good for going to the airport, away from the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, and did not apply when leaving the airport, towards the station.

Two options were available during this second trial for fare payment:

• "pay-as-you-go" RFID card scan at select turnstiles or locations; or,
• pre-funded fares via a pilot website called the "NY/NJ Transit Trial" for multiple and unlimited ride discounts. Pre-funded fares ceased to be available on the trial website on October 16, 2010, and the free trial ended on November 30, 2010.

}}

File:NYC, Canal St entrance.jpg, 2019]]

In 2016, the MTA announced that it would begin designing a new contactless fare payment system to replace the MetroCard.{{cite web |url=http://www.wnyc.org/story/finally-mtas-capital-program-has-cleared-state/ |title=Finally: The MTA Has an Approved Capital Program |last=Hinds |first=Kate |date=June 1, 2015 |website=WNYC |access-date=July 28, 2016 |archive-date=August 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803000555/http://www.wnyc.org/story/finally-mtas-capital-program-has-cleared-state/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Dave |title=All New York City subway stations will have WiFi by the end of this year |website=Business Insider |date=January 11, 2016 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/all-nyc-subway-stations-getting-wifi-2016-1 |access-date=September 11, 2017 |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912055333/http://www.businessinsider.com/all-nyc-subway-stations-getting-wifi-2016-1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Rivoli |first1=Dan |last2=Gregorian |first2=Dareh |date=April 12, 2016 |title=MTA to solicit proposals for 'New Fare Payment System,' taking first step in finding MetroCard replacement |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-takes-step-replacing-metrocard-article-1.2598346 |newspaper=New York Daily News |access-date=November 30, 2016 |archive-date=December 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201075727/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-takes-step-replacing-metrocard-article-1.2598346 |url-status=live }} The replacement system was initially planned for partial implementation in 2018 and full implementation by 2022.{{cite web |last=Siff |first=Andrew |title=MetroCard Replacement Is Coming Soon: MTA |website=NBC New York |date=September 11, 2017 |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/MTA-Subway-MetroCard-Replacement-Contactless-Payment-443309333.html |access-date=September 11, 2017 |archive-date=September 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910043325/http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/MTA-Subway-MetroCard-Replacement-Contactless-Payment-443309333.html |url-status=live }} In October 2017, the MTA started installing eTix-compatible electronic ticketing turnstiles in 14 stations in Manhattan. The eTix system, already used on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, allows passengers to pay their fares using their phones. The system would originally be for MTA employees only.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-testing-new-tech-replace-metrocard-article-1.3546184 |title=MTA testing new tech that could replace MetroCard |last=Rivoli |first=Dan |date=October 6, 2017 |work=NY Daily News |access-date=October 9, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009072240/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-testing-new-tech-replace-metrocard-article-1.3546184 |url-status=live }}

On October 23, 2017, it was announced that the MetroCard would be phased out and replaced by a contactless fare payment system also by Cubic, with fare payment being made using Android Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, debit/credit cards with near-field communication enabled, or radio-frequency identification cards.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-approves-plan-scrap-metrocards-tap-payment-system-article-1.3584098 |title=MTA approves plan to scrap MetroCards for 'tap' payment system |last=Rivoli |first=Dan |date=October 23, 2017 |work=NY Daily News |access-date=October 24, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024051957/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-approves-plan-scrap-metrocards-tap-payment-system-article-1.3584098 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/23/nyregion/metrocard-subway-new-york.html |title=New York to Replace MetroCard With Modern Way to Pay Transit Fares |last=Barron |first=James |date=October 23, 2017 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 24, 2017 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023235701/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/23/nyregion/metrocard-subway-new-york.html |url-status=live }} The announcement called for a phased rollout, culminating in the discontinuation of the MetroCard by 2023. The payment system would use technology licensed from Transport for London's Oyster card.{{Cite web |last=Hoscik |first=Martin |date=2018-10-11 |title=TfL set to extend Cubic's contactless fares licensing deal after netting £15m in royalties in just two years |url=https://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/tfl-set-to-extend-cubics-contactless-fares-licensing-deal-after-netting-15m-in-royalties-in-just-two-years/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801210828/https://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/tfl-set-to-extend-cubics-contactless-fares-licensing-deal-after-netting-15m-in-royalties-in-just-two-years/ |archive-date=August 1, 2019 |access-date=2019-08-01 |work=MayorWatch}} Critics responded to the proposals with concerns about security and privacy, highlighting a 2016 security breach of fare systems in San Francisco.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/27/nyregion/new-fare-system-metrocard-security-hacking.html |title=New Fare System Raises Security Concerns, but Officials Promise Safety |last=Barron |first=James |date=October 27, 2017 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 27, 2017 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027195613/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/27/nyregion/new-fare-system-metrocard-security-hacking.html |url-status=live }}

In June 2018, the MTA revised the timeline for implementation of the then-unnamed new payment system. The first stage of implementation would take place in May 2019. In the second stage, all subway stations would receive OMNY readers by October 2020, in preparation for the third stage, which involved the launch of a prepaid OMNY card by February 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/metrocard-replacement-omny-1.29297988 |title=Avoiding replacing the MetroCard with ... chaos |date=April 2, 2019 |website=am New York |access-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403162108/https://www.amny.com/transit/metrocard-replacement-omny-1.29297988 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190520_1400_CPOC.pdf |title=Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting |date=May 20, 2019 |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=May 19, 2019 |archive-date=May 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518163329/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190520_1400_CPOC.pdf |url-status=live }}{{rp|13}} The fourth stage involved the installation of OMNY vending machines by March 2022,{{rp|13}} and the MetroCard would be discontinued in 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/metrocard-fare-payment-1.19188463 |title=MetroCards to start tapping out in May |date=June 13, 2018 |website=am New York |access-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614131125/https://www.amny.com/transit/metrocard-fare-payment-1.19188463 |url-status=live }} Installation of OMNY vending machines in stations would be pushed back to the summer of 2023, with the discontinuation of MetroCards cancelled as further delays arise with rollout on regional rail and affiliate agencies.{{Cite web |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/omny-machines-rollout/ |title=OMNY machines rolling out at subway stations this summer as phase-out of MetroCard delayed indefinitely |date=2023-04-24 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=AM New York Metro |last=Brachfeld |first=Ben}}

Initially, there were disagreements about what the payment system should be called; some executives wanted a "traditional" name that resembled the MetroCard's name, while others wanted more unusual names. Possible names included "MetroTap", "Tony", "Liberty" and "Pretzel". The name "OMNY" was eventually chosen as being "modern and universal".{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/liberty-tony-pretzel-new-york-officials-puzzle-over-fare-card-name-11565020341 |title=Liberty? Tony? Pretzel? New York Officials Puzzle Over Fare Card Name |last=Berger |first=Paul |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=August 5, 2019 |language=en-US |access-date=2019-08-07 |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209005359/https://www.wsj.com/articles/liberty-tony-pretzel-new-york-officials-puzzle-over-fare-card-name-11565020341 |url-status=live }} The OMNY name was announced in February 2019.{{cite web |url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/02/23/metrocards-mta-pay-smartphone/ |title=No More MetroCards? MTA To Test New Fare System Where Riders Pay Using Smartphone |date=February 23, 2019 |website=CBS New York |access-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224000355/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/02/23/metrocards-mta-pay-smartphone/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://bronx.news12.com/story/40014556/mta-to-phase-out-metrocard-out-with-the-swipe-in-with-the-tap |title=MTA to phase out MetroCard: Out with the swipe, in with the tap |date=February 23, 2019 |website=News 12 The Bronx |access-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173747/http://bronx.news12.com/story/40014556/mta-to-phase-out-metrocard-out-with-the-swipe-in-with-the-tap |url-status=live }} "OMNY" is an acronym for "One Metro New York", intended to signify its eventual broad acceptance across the New York metropolitan area.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-metrocard-omny-fare-20190222-story.html |title=Why not Apple Card? Or Gotham Card? MTA's tap-n-go fare card has unimaginative name |last=Rivoli |first=Dan |date=2019-02-22 |work=nydailynews.com |access-date=2019-08-03 |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208194648/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-metrocard-omny-fare-20190222-story.html |url-status=live }} However, goals for broad acceptance have since been hampered, with PATH and NJ Transit unwilling to install OMNY, instead pursuing similar independent systems which would not be compatible with it.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-path-tap-pay-omny-turnstiles-fares-20211115-e2k6xki3frhljcrix5lo6y4vwq-story.html |title=Tap-and-pay fare system coming to PATH, follows MTA's OMNY system |date=2021-11-15 |access-date=2023-04-25 |website=New York Daily News |last=Guse |first=Clayton}}{{cite web |last=Higgs |first=Larry |title=NJ Transit takes first step to put a fare card in riders' hands by late 2024 |website=nj |date=April 13, 2022 |url=https://www.nj.com/traffic/2022/04/nj-transit-takes-first-step-to-put-a-fare-card-in-riders-hands-by-late-2024.html |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713023205/https://www.nj.com/traffic/2022/04/nj-transit-takes-first-step-to-put-a-fare-card-in-riders-hands-by-late-2024.html |url-status=live }}

An internal trial launched in March 2019, involving over 1,100 MTA employees and 300 other participants. Over 1,200 readers were installed in subway stations and buses for the public trial, and the OMNY.info website was created.{{rp|14–15}} Weeks before the beginning of the public launch, $85.4 million had been spent on the project, out of a total budget of $644.7 million.{{rp|14}} The budget had risen to $677 million by June 2020 and to $732 million by November 2020.{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2022 |title=Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting January 2022 |url=https://new.mta.info/document/72541 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127185459/https://new.mta.info/document/72541 |url-status=live }}{{Rp|37}} The budget was $772 million by June 2021.{{rp|83}}File:OMNY Coney Island.jpg

File:Staten Island Transit Improvements.jpg

At a presentation in May 2019, the MTA's Capital Program Oversight Committee specified the following items to be implemented at an unspecified future date: launch a mobile app, allow customers to pay with OMNY Cards on Access-a-Ride paratransit vehicles, and add OMNY readers on Select Bus Service buses to support all-door boarding.{{rp|17}} However, the committee expressed concerns that some bank cards would not be accepted, and that OMNY transactions could take longer than MetroCard transactions, increasing crowding at turnstiles. All-door boarding at Select Bus Service routes with OMNY began on July 20, 2020.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS5D_-eV7G0&t=1336 |title=MTA Press Conference – 12/11/2019 |date=2019-12-11 |language=en |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=2019-12-17 |via=YouTube |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610104158/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS5D_-eV7G0&t=1336 |url-status=live }}

OMNY launched to the public on May 31, 2019, on Staten Island buses and at 16 subway stations.{{efn|name="16stations"|All stations on the {{NYCS trains|Lexington}} between Grand Central–42nd Street and Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center were in the initial OMNY pilot.}} Turnstiles with OMNY readers displayed one of 11 screens, based on whether the OMNY payment was successful and whether the readers were functioning properly.{{cite web | last=Bascome | first=Erik | title=11 screens of MTA's OMNY system: What do they all mean? | website=silive | date=June 10, 2019 | url=https://www.silive.com/news/g66l-2019/06/baf0d3459b6977/11-screens-of-mtas-omny-system-what-do-they-all-mean.html | access-date=January 19, 2025}} At first, OMNY only supported single-ride fares paid with contactless bank cards; mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay were also accepted, and free transfers between OMNY-enabled routes were available with the same transfer restrictions placed upon the MetroCard.{{Cite web |url=http://gothamist.com/2019/05/31/omny_subway_pilot_launch.php |title=OMNY Is Alive: MTA Opens Up Tap Payment System In Limited Subway Pilot |last=Chung |first=Jen |website=Gothamist |access-date=2019-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603141536/http://gothamist.com/2019/05/31/omny_subway_pilot_launch.php |archive-date=June 3, 2019 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/omny-usage-rates-1.31904874 |title=6,000 tap into new MTA fare system on first full day |website=am New York |date=June 3, 2019 |language=en |access-date=2019-06-03 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111195727/https://www.amny.com/transit/omny-usage-rates-1.31904874/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://brooklyn.news12.com/story/40574928/mta-begins-rollout-of-tapandgo-fare-payment-system |title=MTA begins rollout of 'tap-and-go' fare payment system |website=brooklyn.news12.com |language=en |access-date=2019-06-03 |archive-date=July 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709052827/http://brooklyn.news12.com/story/40574928/mta-begins-rollout-of-tapandgo-fare-payment-system |url-status=live }} In June and July 2019, Mastercard offered "Fareback Fridays" to promote the system, where it would refund up to two rides made using OMNY on Fridays.{{Cite web |url=http://fortune.com/2019/05/31/nyc-mta-fitbit-android-apple-pay-phone-tap-card/ |title=New York's MTA Gets Apple Pay and Google Pay: Here's How to Set It Up |website=Fortune |language=en |access-date=2019-06-03 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015332/https://fortune.com/2019/05/31/nyc-mta-fitbit-android-apple-pay-phone-tap-card/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/consumers/offers-promotions/fareback-fridays-promotion.html |title=Fareback Fridays Promotion |website=mastercard.us |access-date=2019-06-03 |archive-date=December 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220042909/https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/consumers/offers-promotions/fareback-fridays-promotion.html |url-status=live }} The OMNY system reached one million uses within its first 10 weeks and two million uses within 16 weeks.{{Cite web |url=https://new.mta.info/document/12081 |title=Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting |date=November 12, 2019 |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=May 19, 2019 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027005007/https://new.mta.info/document/12081 |url-status=live }}{{Rp|58}} On one day in June, 18,000 taps were recorded from bank cards issued in 82 countries.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/30/nyregion/metrocard-mta-subway-discontinued.html |title=So Long, Swiping. The 'Tap-and-Go' Subway Is Here. |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Emma G. |date=2019-07-30 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2019-08-01 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103162845/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/30/nyregion/metrocard-mta-subway-discontinued.html |url-status=live }}

In November 2019, the MTA announced its first expansion. Over the following month, 48 additional stations would be outfitted with OMNY readers the following month, thereby bringing the system to all five boroughs,{{efn|name=see-timeline|See {{section link||Timeline}} for a list of additional stations.}} and by January 2020 the system would then be expanded to Manhattan bus routes.{{Rp|57}} Furthermore, the MTA would begin launching pilot programs on Select Bus Service, the city's bus rapid transit system, and add self-service features.{{Rp|60}} OMNY readers were installed at the rear doors of buses.{{cite web | last=Nessen | first=Stephen | title=Why OMNY readers at the back of MTA buses are effectively useless right now | website=Gothamist | date=February 16, 2024 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/why-omny-readers-at-the-back-of-mta-buses-are-effectively-useless-right-now | access-date=February 17, 2024}} By then, over three million riders with bank cards from 111 countries had used OMNY.{{Rp|58}}{{cite web |last=Glasser-Baker |first=Becca |date=November 13, 2019 |title=MTA announces the expansion of OMNY |url=https://www.metro.us/news/local-news/new-york/mta-announces-expansion-omny |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219165308/https://www.metro.us/mta-announces-the-expansion-of-omny/ |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |access-date=November 14, 2019 |website=Metro US}}{{cite web |date=November 13, 2019 |title=MTA Expanding OMNY to All Boroughs by End of 2020 |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/11/13/mta-expanding-omny-to-all-boroughs-by-end-of-2020- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814140455/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/11/13/mta-expanding-omny-to-all-boroughs-by-end-of-2020- |archive-date=August 14, 2020 |access-date=November 14, 2019 |website=Spectrum News NY1 | New York City}} According to an internal MTA report, these riders had used over 460,000 unique payment methods between them, or about 2,000 new payment methods per day.{{Rp|58}}

With the implementation of OMNY on the Staten Island Railway in December 2019, public transit in Staten Island became fully OMNY-compatible.{{cite web |last=Bascome |first=Erik |date=June 5, 2020 |title=MTA: OMNY installation to be completed on time despite coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.silive.com/coronavirus/2020/06/mta-omny-installation-to-be-completed-on-time-despite-coronavirus-outbreak.html |access-date=July 18, 2020 |website=silive |archive-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005204810/https://www.silive.com/coronavirus/2020/06/mta-omny-installation-to-be-completed-on-time-despite-coronavirus-outbreak.html |url-status=live }} The next month, MTA officials announced that OMNY had seen its five millionth use, and also that it would expand to 60 more subway stations by the end of the month.{{efn|name=see-timeline}} In addition, the MTA launched a marketing campaign for OMNY.{{cite web |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2020/01/omny-reaches-5-million-taps-mta-rolls-out-new-marketing-campaign.html |title=OMNY reaches 5 million taps; MTA rolls out new marketing campaign |last=Bascome |first=Erik |date=January 8, 2020 |website=silive |access-date=January 8, 2020 |archive-date=January 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108183143/https://www.silive.com/news/2020/01/omny-reaches-5-million-taps-mta-rolls-out-new-marketing-campaign.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Press Release – MTA Headquarters – OMNY Surpasses 5 Million Taps Ahead of Expansion to 60 More Stations by End of January |website=MTA |date=January 7, 2020 |url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/omny-surpasses-5-million-taps-ahead-expansion-60-more-stations-end |access-date=January 19, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022205845/http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/omny-surpasses-5-million-taps-ahead-expansion-60-more-stations-end |url-status=live }} After another expansion the next month, there were over 180 OMNY-equipped stations and OMNY had been used over 7 million times.{{cite web |url=https://www.amny.com/bronx/omny-payment-program-expands-to-bronx-subway-lines/ |title=OMNY payment program expands to Bronx subway lines |last=Pozarycki |first=Robert |date=February 3, 2020 |website=amNewYork |access-date=February 3, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804233341/https://www.amny.com/bronx/omny-payment-program-expands-to-bronx-subway-lines/ |url-status=live }} This grew to 10 million uses by the time yet another expansion was announced in March.{{cite web |title=OMNY contactless payment system to go live on all Manhattan buses |website=Intelligent Transport |date=2020-03-03 |url=https://www.intelligenttransport.com/transport-news/96710/omny-contactless-payment-system-to-go-live-on-all-manhattan-buses/ |access-date=2020-03-04 |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304045101/https://www.intelligenttransport.com/transport-news/96710/omny-contactless-payment-system-to-go-live-on-all-manhattan-buses/ |url-status=live }}

No new OMNY installations were added from March to June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2020 |title=MTA expands OMNY contactless readers to half of subway station, accelerates bus timeline by 6 months |url=https://abc7ny.com/6231100/ |access-date=2021-01-02 |website=ABC7 New York |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502080406/https://abc7ny.com/6231100/ |url-status=live }} The pandemic delayed the target date for which OMNY would be implemented at all subway stations and MTA bus routes, which was pushed back from October to December 2020.{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Paul |date=2020-06-02 |title=Contactless Payment on New York City Subway Is Delayed by Coronavirus |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/contactless-payment-on-new-york-city-subway-is-delayed-by-coronavirus-11591137917 |access-date=2020-07-18 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021144249/https://www.wsj.com/articles/contactless-payment-on-new-york-city-subway-is-delayed-by-coronavirus-11591137917 |url-status=live }} OMNY installation in Manhattan was completed in July 2020.{{Rp|29}} By that September, two-thirds of subway stations were OMNY-equipped; this included all stations in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, as well as buses in the latter two boroughs.{{Cite web |last=Hallum |first=Mark |date=2020-08-12 |title=OMNY payment system now at turnstiles in most subway stations: MTA |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/omny-payment-system-now-at-turnstiles-in-most-subway-stations-mta/ |access-date=2020-08-14 |website=amNewYork |language=en-US |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928095745/https://www.amny.com/transit/omny-payment-system-now-at-turnstiles-in-most-subway-stations-mta/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=August 13, 2020 |title=New York MTA's OMNY system on track with new installations |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/fare-collection/press-release/21150122/mta-new-york-city-transit-new-york-mtas-omkny-system-on-track-with-new-installations |access-date=August 14, 2020 |website=Mass Transit Magazine |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219165315/https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/fare-collection/press-release/21150122/mta-new-york-city-transit-new-york-mtas-omkny-system-on-track-with-new-installations |url-status=live }} In November 2020, OMNY readers were installed at AutoGates, where disabled riders could enter and exit the system.{{Rp|29}} {{As of|2020|December|alt=By December}}, OMNY had been rolled out to 458 subway stations, representing 97% of the total, and OMNY had been used 30 million times.{{cite web |last=Humbrecht |first=Rebeka |date=2020-12-06 |title=Full OMNY rollout nears completion, as system records 30 millionth tap, MTA says |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2020/12/full-omny-rollout-nears-completion-as-system-records-30-millionth-tap-mta-says.html |access-date=2020-12-29 |website=silive |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229144435/https://www.silive.com/news/2020/12/full-omny-rollout-nears-completion-as-system-records-30-millionth-tap-mta-says.html |url-status=live }} On December 31, 2020, the MTA announced that OMNY was active on all MTA buses and at all subway stations, after the last OMNY readers were activated at Eastern Parkway–Brooklyn Museum station.{{cite web |title=MTA: Every NYC Subway Station Now Equipped With OMNY Contactless Payment System |website=CBS New York – Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Traffic And The Best of NY |date=December 31, 2020 |url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/12/31/omny-rollout/ |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101010231/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/12/31/omny-rollout/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Pozarycki |first=Robert |title='It's OMNY time': MTA wraps up installation of contactless fare payment system |website=amNewYork |date=December 31, 2020 |url=https://www.amny.com/new-york/omny-fare-payment-system-fully-installed-december-31/ |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101004401/https://www.amny.com/new-york/omny-fare-payment-system-fully-installed-december-31/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Sophia |date=2021-01-01 |title=OMNY Pay Scanners Now Available At All Subway Stations And MTA Buses |work=Gothamist |url=https://gothamist.com/news/omny-pay-scanners-now-available-all-subway-stations-and-mta-buses |access-date=2021-01-05 |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105073539/https://gothamist.com/news/omny-pay-scanners-now-available-all-subway-stations-and-mta-buses |url-status=live }}

By July 2021, one-sixth of all fares paid on the bus, subway, and Staten Island Railway were being paid through OMNY, and 100 million fares had been paid using the fare system.{{cite web |last=Guse |first=Clayton |title=MTA says one in six NYC Transit fares now paid through OMNY |website=New York Daily News |date=July 6, 2021 |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-mta-omny-100-million-taps-20210706-kzewstxytnghleg4peyy4osnuq-story.html |access-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002141912/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-mta-omny-100-million-taps-20210706-kzewstxytnghleg4peyy4osnuq-story.html |url-status=live }} Reduced pay-per-ride OMNY fares were supposed to become available in mid-2022.{{cite web | last=Chung | first=Jen | title=MTA's reduced-fare customers will get to use OMNY this summer | website=Gothamist | date=April 11, 2022 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/mtas-reduced-fare-customers-will-get-to-use-omny-this-summer | access-date=July 19, 2022 | archive-date=July 19, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719145113/https://gothamist.com/news/mtas-reduced-fare-customers-will-get-to-use-omny-this-summer | url-status=live }} Reduced-fare OMNY was finally activated in October 2022, although it was not available to Fair Fares riders and students.{{cite web | last=Lazar | first=David | title=OMNY now available to reduced fare transit riders | website=Spectrum News NY1 New York City | date=October 24, 2022 | url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2022/10/24/omny-now-available-to-reduced-fare-transit-riders | access-date=October 26, 2022 | archive-date=October 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026015552/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2022/10/24/omny-now-available-to-reduced-fare-transit-riders | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Brachfeld | first=Ben | title=OMNY finally available to some reduced-fare MetroCard holders; students and 'Fair Fares' riders shut out for now | website=amNewYork | date=October 24, 2022 | url=https://www.amny.com/transit/omny-available-reduced-fare-metrocard/ | access-date=October 26, 2022 | archive-date=October 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026015552/https://www.amny.com/transit/omny-available-reduced-fare-metrocard/ | url-status=live }} The MTA indicated in September 2023 that OMNY usage was highest in gentrified areas with young, white, and well-off populations. At the time, OMNY was being used for 47% of subway rides and 30% of bus rides.{{cite web | last=Brachfeld | first=Ben | title=OMNY use highest in gentrified NYC neighborhoods as uptake lags in lower-income areas: MTA | website=amNewYork | date=September 18, 2023 | url=https://www.amny.com/transit/omny-use-nyc-gentrified-neighborhoods/ | access-date=September 19, 2023}}

Although local buses all had OMNY readers at their rear doors, none of them were in use by early 2024, in part because, in an attempt to reduce fare evasion, the MTA had ordered bus drivers to open the buses' rear doors only for alighting passengers. In May 2024, a small number of people enrolled in the MTA's Fair Fares program (which gave discounted fares to low-income residents) were allowed to begin using discounted OMNY cards as part of a pilot program.{{cite web | last=Brachfeld | first=Ben | title=Fair Fares transit discount program finally compatible with OMNY for trial period | website=amNewYork | date=May 1, 2024 | url=https://www.amny.com/transit/fair-fares-omny-compatible-trial-transit-rides/ | access-date=May 1, 2024}}{{cite web | last=Charles | first=Charline | title=Fair Fares discount available on OMNY cards in new pilot program | website=PIX11 | date=May 1, 2024 | url=https://pix11.com/news/transit/fair-fares-discount-available-on-omny-cards-in-new-pilot-program/ | access-date=May 1, 2024}} By then, 55% of subway rides and 34% of bus rides were being paid for using OMNY.

By December 2024, reduced-fare OMNY cards for seniors and disabled riders (including Access-a-Ride customers) were ready to be distributed, while the Fair Fares OMNY card had yet to be rolled out. New Fair Fares customers began receiving OMNY cards from February 2025 onward; existing customers could either switch to an OMNY card immediately or continue to use their MetroCard until it expired.{{cite web |last=Matteo |first=Mike |date=February 26, 2025 |title=NYC Fair Fares half-priced MetroCard program moving to OMNY |url=https://www.silive.com/transportation/2025/02/nyc-fair-fares-half-priced-metrocard-program-moving-to-omny.html |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=silive}}{{cite web |last=Russo-Lennon |first=Barbara |date=February 26, 2025 |title=Low-income Fair Fares transit riders now have access to OMNY |url=https://www.amny.com/news/fair-fares-discount-transit-omny-mta/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=amNewYork}} That month, the MTA announced that it would spend $4.5 million to repair OMNY fare readers on buses because the fare readers kept detaching.{{cite web |last=Khalifeh |first=Ramsey |date=February 23, 2025 |title=OMNY fare readers keep falling off mounts on MTA buses |url=https://gothamist.com/news/omny-fare-readers-keep-falling-off-mounts-on-mta-buses |access-date=February 24, 2025 |website=Gothamist}} In March 2025, the MTA announced that sales and distribution of the MetroCard would end in December 2025.{{cite web | last=Spivack | first=Caroline | title=MTA plans MetroCard retirement | website=Crain's New York Business | date=March 18, 2025 | url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/mta-plans-metrocard-retirement | access-date=March 19, 2025}}{{cite web | last=Siff | first=Andrew | title=MTA to stop selling MetroCards by the end of the year | website=NBC New York | date=March 19, 2025 | url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/new-york-city/mta-metrocards-selling/6192638/ | access-date=March 19, 2025}}{{cite web | last=Fadulu | first=Lola | title=The MetroCard Goes the Way of the Token as M.T.A. Announces End of Sales | website=The New York Times | date=March 19, 2025 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/nyregion/nyc-subway-metro-card.html | access-date=March 19, 2025}} The MTA announced the next month that Apple Wallet would be able to support virtual OMNY cards starting later that year.{{cite web | last=Burkhardt | first=Michael | title=New York City subway riders will soon be able to utilize transit cards on iPhone | website=9to5Mac | date=April 26, 2025 | url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/04/26/apple-wallet-transit-cards-new-york-omny/ | access-date=April 27, 2025}}{{cite web | last=Romero | first=Johanna | title=This large metro area will finally let you use your iPhone’s Apple Wallet to pay for public transit | website=PhoneArena | date=April 26, 2025 | url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/this-large-metro-area-will-finally-let-you-use-your-iphones-apple-wallet-to-pay-for-public-transit_id169836 | access-date=April 27, 2025}} In addition, as part of its contract with Cubic, the MTA spent millions of dollars to develop a chatbot to assist OMNY users.{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Jose |date=2025-05-28 |title=MTA Approves Millions More for OMNY Chatbot in Buggy System |url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/05/28/mta-omny-ai-chat-support-customer-complaints/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=THE CITY - NYC News}}

{{As of|2019}}, the MTA also plans to use OMNY on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad over "the next several years".{{cite web |title=Say hello to tap and go, with OMNY |url=https://new.mta.info/system_modernization/omny |access-date=February 24, 2019 |website=MTA |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725161750/https://new.mta.info/omny |url-status=live }} In June 2019, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced it was in talks with the MTA to implement OMNY on the PATH by 2022.{{cite web |title=PATH Implementation Plan |url=http://www.panynj.gov/path/pdf/PATH_Implementation_Plan.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213133346/http://www.panynj.gov/path/pdf/PATH_Implementation_Plan.pdf |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |access-date=June 20, 2019 |website=PANYNJ}} This would be called off in 2021 with PATH pursuing a separate new fare system that is also designed by Cubic. There are no plans for OMNY to be used on NJ Transit, which plans to implement a new fare payment system with a different contractor by late 2024.{{cite web |last=Higgs |first=Larry |title=NJ Transit takes a small step toward getting its own fare card, similar to NYC |website=nj |date=June 6, 2019 |url=https://www.nj.com/traffic/2019/06/nj-transit-takes-a-small-step-toward-getting-its-own-fare-card-similar-to-nyc.html |access-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108032943/https://www.nj.com/traffic/2019/06/nj-transit-takes-a-small-step-toward-getting-its-own-fare-card-similar-to-nyc.html |url-status=live }}

Plans for OMNY installation on the LIRR and Metro-North were still being revised {{As of|November 2020||lc=y}}.{{Rp|31}} The COVID-19 pandemic had pushed back the implementation of fare cards on the commuter railroads from February 2021 to June 2022, and that of in-system vending machines from March 2022 to June 2023.{{Rp|29}} {{As of|June 2021}}, there were delays in the commuter railroads' mobile ticketing system as well as vending machines. According to the MTA's independent engineering consultant, this could potentially delay full rollout of OMNY for six months from the original projected completion date of July 2023.{{Cite web |url=https://new.mta.info/document/42401 |title=Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting |date=June 23, 2021 |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=January 18, 2019 |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725211730/https://new.mta.info/document/42401 |url-status=live }}{{rp|82}} By February 2022, the rollout of OMNY on the LIRR was pushed back to between 2023 and 2024. {{As of|2024}}, OMNY has not been rolled out on MTA commuter rail. On January 29, 2024, the Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Rail Link began accepting OMNY.{{cite web |date=January 30, 2024 |title=MTA Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Rail Link to accept OMNY as fare payment method |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/fare-collection/press-release/53095096/mta-metro-north-railroad-mta-metro-north-railroads-hudson-rail-link-to-accept-omny-as-fare-payment-method |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=Mass Transit}}{{cite web |date=January 29, 2024 |title=MTA Launches OMNY On Hudson Rail Link In The Northwest Bronx |url=https://bronx.com/mta-launches-omny-on-hudson-rail-link-in-the-northwest-bronx/ |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=The Bronx Daily}} In May 2024, the MTA announced that it would hire two existing contractors, rather than Cubic, to implement OMNY on the LIRR and Metro-North.{{cite web |last=Nessen |first=Stephen |date=2024-05-20 |title=Students, seniors next in line for MTA's OMNY payment system |url=https://gothamist.com/news/students-seniors-next-in-line-for-mtas-omny-payment-system |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Gothamist}}{{cite web | last=Castillo | first=Alfonso A. | title=OMNY plan for LIRR delayed, scaled down as MTA drops contractor | website=Newsday | date=2024-05-20 | url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/omny-lirr-qs9ipivt | access-date=2024-05-21}}

File:Roosevelt Island Tram turnstile upgrades, 2023.jpg

As part of the rollout, OMNY is expected to replace MetroCard on affiliate agencies such as Westchester County's Bee-Line Bus System, and the Nassau Inter-County Express. {{as of|2023}}, Westchester County's Bee Line expects OMNY to begin rolling out in 2025 at the earliest,{{Cite web |title=OMNY/Bee-Line |url=https://transportation.westchestergov.com/omny |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124163650/https://transportation.westchestergov.com/omny |archive-date=2023-01-24 |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=transportation.westchestergov.com}} along with Nassau County's NICE Bus System.{{cite web |title=LIRR discounts coming sooner; OMNY rollout delayed again |first=Alfonso A. |last=Castillo |date=February 8, 2022 |website=Newsday |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/lirr-discounts-omny-system-mta-1.50502318 |access-date=2022-02-18 |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218132637/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/lirr-discounts-omny-system-mta-1.50502318 |url-status=live }}{{Cite tweet|number=1494805580501946379|user=JulieMenin|title=[...] Last week, my office sent a letter to @RiocCeo asking them to expedite the adoption of OMNY on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Today, RIOC and @MTA told our office that in response they have made changes to plans and will now expedite this. (1/3)|author=Julie Menin|date=2022-02-18|access-date=2022-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218224933/https://twitter.com/JulieMenin/status/1494805580501946379/|archive-date=2022-02-18|url-status=live}}

Rollout to faregates on the AirTrain JFK was planned to occur in 2023, replacing the MetroCard payment requirement to use the system. Installation of OMNY readers on the AirTrain JFK and Roosevelt Island Tramway was underway by mid-2023.{{cite web | title=MTA to implement new OMNY vending machines this summer | website=News 12 – The Bronx | date=April 25, 2023 | url=https://bronx.news12.com/mta-to-implement-new-omny-vending-machines-this-summer | access-date=August 24, 2023}}{{cite web | last=Brosnan | first=Erica | title=OMNY vending machines coming this summer, officials say | website=Spectrum News NY1 | date=April 25, 2023 | url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2023/04/25/omny-vending-machines-coming-this-summer--officials-say | access-date=August 24, 2023}} On August 24, 2023, the Roosevelt Island Tramway started to accept OMNY.{{cite web | title=OMNY tap-to-pay system comes to Roosevelt Island | website=Spectrum News NY1 | date=August 25, 2023 | url=https://ny1.com/nyc/manhattan/news/2023/08/25/-omny-tap-to-pay-system-comes-to-roosevelt-island | access-date=August 25, 2023}}{{cite web | last=Brachfeld | first=Ben | title=Roosevelt Island Tram outfitted with OMNY tap-to-pay system | website=amNewYork | date=August 24, 2023 | url=https://www.amny.com/transit/roosevelt-island-tram-omny-tap-pay-system/ | access-date=August 25, 2023}} In early October 2023, governor Kathy Hochul announced that the AirTrain JFK would start accepting OMNY on October 10, although some turnstiles would continue to accept MetroCards only.{{cite web | last=Brachfeld | first=Ben | title=OMNY finally being installed on JFK AirTrain this month | website=amNewYork | date=October 4, 2023 | url=https://www.amny.com/transit/omny-finally-installed-jfk-airtrain/ | access-date=October 4, 2023}}{{cite web | last1=Gannon | first1=Devin | last2=Ginsburg | first2=Aaron | title=JFK AirTrain will finally accept tap-and-go OMNY payments | website=6sqft | date=October 4, 2023 | url=https://www.6sqft.com/jfk-airtrain-will-finally-accept-tap-and-go-omny-payments/ | access-date=October 4, 2023}} {{As of|February 2025}}, NICE Bus was planned to begin accepting OMNY later that year.{{cite web |last=Castillo |first=Alfonso A. |date=February 22, 2025 |title=OMNY contactless fare system coming to NICE buses this year, officials say |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/omny-fare-nice-buses-bns16hba |access-date=February 24, 2025 |website=Newsday}}

This list shows when direct entry by OMNY reader became possible on each bus line, train/subway segment, or tramway line.

File:OMNY Card.jpg

In October 2021, the MTA started selling a physical OMNY card at certain retail locations throughout New York City. The MTA planned to expand the rollout to vending machines inside stations in September 2022. OMNY cards featuring commemorative designs, as well as special fare-classes such as students, senior citizens, and MTA employees, were not available at the time of the standalone OMNY Card rollout.{{Cite web |last=Bonanos |first=Christopher |date=2021-10-01 |title=This Is the OMNY Card, and You Might Be Able to Buy One Today |url=https://www.curbed.com/2021/10/omny-card-launched-mta-nyc-reveal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002132017/https://www.curbed.com/2021/10/omny-card-launched-mta-nyc-reveal.html |archive-date=October 2, 2021 |access-date=2021-10-02 |website=Curbed |language=en-us}}

File:Reduced-fare OMNY card, front and back.jpg

The card is thicker than the MetroCard it replaced, and is valid for seven years from purchase.{{cite web |last=Nessen |first=Stephen |date=2022-02-20 |title=MTA struggles to get OMNY cards in stores |url=https://gothamist.com/news/mta-struggles-get-omny-cards-stores |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221040818/https://gothamist.com/news/mta-struggles-get-omny-cards-stores |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |access-date=2022-02-21 |website=Gothamist}} It can be purchased or reloaded from retailers such as CVS, Walgreens, 7/11 and Duane Reade stores, as well as bodegas, CFSC Check Cashing, and dollar stores that previously sold MetroCards. OMNY can also be purchased directly from subway station ticket vending machines in the future.{{cite web |last1=Nessen |first1=Stephen |date=24 April 2023 |title=OMNY vending machines coming to NYC subway this summer |url=https://gothamist.com/news/omny-vending-machines-coming-to-nyc-subway-this-summer |access-date=28 April 2023 |publisher=Gothamist |language=en}} It contains two barcodes on the front and back; one barcode is used to record the card being purchased, and the other is used to encode fare information. On the standard card, half of the front side contains a barcode, which is oriented to resemble railroad tracks, while the other half of the front side contains a white-on-black OMNY logo. The back of the card contains the card number, card security code, expiration date, and the other barcode. Variants of the card are also planned for MTA employee fares as well as limited edition versions. The cost of the card is $5.00 plus a minimum of $1 to be loaded on the card at time of purchase.File:Student OMNY Card (cropped).jpgEven at the end of 2021, reduced pay-per-ride OMNY fares were not available at all.{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Jose |date=2021-12-13 |title=MTA's Late in Making OMNY Subway and Bus System Reduced-Fare Friendly |url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2021/12/13/22833400/mtas-late-in-making-omny-subway-and-bus-system-reduced-fare-friendly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218132638/https://www.thecity.nyc/2021/12/13/22833400/mtas-late-in-making-omny-subway-and-bus-system-reduced-fare-friendly |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=2022-02-18 |website=THE CITY}} The physical card was seldom used in the months after its rollout; by February 2022, less than 1 percent of all OMNY fares were being paid using a card, and 4,367 cards had been sold at stores. On October 30, 2023, OMNY machines were activated at six subway stations.{{cite web |last=Brachfeld |first=Ben |date=October 30, 2023 |title=OMNY vending machines activated at 6 NYC subway stations |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/omny-machines-activated-nyc-subway-stations/ |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=amNewYork}}{{cite web |last=Hoogensen |first=Finn |date=October 30, 2023 |title=OMNY card vending machines now available at several NYC subway stations |url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/omny-card-vending-machines-now-available-at-several-nyc-subway-station/ |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=PIX11}} The MTA announced in May 2024 that students and reduced-fare MetroCard users would begin receiving OMNY cards later that year.{{cite web |last=Liebman |first=Samantha |date=2024-05-20 |title=OMNY rolling out to more users by end of year |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2024/05/20/omny-rolling-out-to-more-users-by-end-of-the-year |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Spectrum News NY1}} The first students were issued OMNY cards on September 5, 2024.{{cite web |last=Barron |first=James |date=September 5, 2024 |title=First Day of School Is OMNY Day in New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/05/nyregion/omny-first-day-school.html |access-date=September 5, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}{{cite web |date=September 5, 2024 |title=Students Use OMNY Cards For First Time |url=https://thecitylife.org/2024/09/05/students-use-omny-cards-for-first-time/ |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=City Life Org}} The cards were initially not issued to students who lived within {{convert|0.5|mi}} of their schools.{{cite web |last=Russo-Lennon |first=Barbara |date=September 19, 2024 |title=OMNY card program unfairly restricts kids from using free public transportation, parents say |url=https://www.amny.com/news/student-omny-card-program-restricts-kids/ |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=amNewYork}}{{cite web |last=Gould |first=Jessica |date=September 9, 2024 |title=NYC students are getting free OMNY cards. Unless they live close to school. |url=https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-students-are-getting-free-omny-cards-unless-they-live-close-to-school |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=Gothamist}} On December 13, 2024, OMNY Reduced Fare cards were released for seniors and disabled patrons.{{cite web |last=Simko-Bednarski |first=Evan |date=December 13, 2024 |title=MTA rolling out reduced-fare OMNY cards for senior transit riders |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/12/13/mta-now-offering-reduced-fare-omny-cards-senior-transit-riders/ |access-date=December 14, 2024 |website=New York Daily News}}{{cite web |last=Burkett |first=N.J. |date=December 13, 2024 |title=MTA moves closer to phasing out Metrocards as 'tap-and-go' OMNY cards go to reduced fare riders |url=https://abc7ny.com/post/mta-moves-closer-phasing-metrocards-tap-go-omny-cards-reduced-fare-riders/15652404/ |access-date=December 14, 2024 |website=ABC7 New York}} In February 2025, OMNY began distributing reduced fare cards to low-income riders through the Fair Fares NYC program.

OMNY cards for Access-a-Ride customers differ slightly from standard and other reduced-fare cards. The back of the card displays a photo of the recipient, their AAR ID number and an abbreviation logo of (P|PCA) if the recipient requires a personal care attendant.{{cite web | title=OMNY for Access-A-Ride | website=MTA | date=February 21, 2025 | url=https://www.mta.info/accessibility/access-a-ride/omny | access-date=April 27, 2025}}

{{Excerpt|New York City transit fares|Current fares|subsections=yes}}

The technology for making a transfer on MTA buses and subways differs slightly between MetroCards and OMNY devices. To allow for operation on vehicles disconnected from the MTA communications network, MetroCards store information about the transfer on the card itself.{{cite web |url=https://new.mta.info/fares |access-date=2020-01-08 |title=Everything you need to know about transit fares and tolls in New York |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110023816/https://new.mta.info/fares |url-status=live }} Third-party digital wallets, debit cards, credit cards generally cannot store transit-specific information on the consumer card or device. OMNY solves this problem by only charging riders once a day,{{cite web |url=https://omny.info/faq/how-omny-works |access-date=2021-01-08 |title=OMNY / Frequently asked questions |archive-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104233424/https://omny.info/faq/how-omny-works |url-status=live }} after vehicles have had a chance to return to base and download boarding data. Though the second entry may display to the rider that the full fare is being charged, as long as the same device was used within the two-hour window, it is discounted when calculating the amount to actually be paid.

The OMNY system is also able to measure the usage of OMNY cards. In October 2021, the MTA considered enabling a fare cap on OMNY cards and devices, similar to the fare caps on Oyster cards.{{cite web |last=Baquero |first=Lynda |title=MTA Explores Fare Capping Program That Would Turn Single Rides Into Unlimited Passes |website=NBC New York |date=2021-10-28 |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/traffic/transit-traffic/mta-explores-fare-capping-program-that-would-turn-single-rides-into-unlimited-passes/3361046/ |access-date=2021-10-31 |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031145000/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/traffic/transit-traffic/mta-explores-fare-capping-program-that-would-turn-single-rides-into-unlimited-passes/3361046/ |url-status=live }} Under the proposal, an OMNY card or device would be charged a pay-per-ride fare on MTA buses and subways if a passenger has made fewer than a specified number of trips in a certain time period. After the passenger makes more than that quantity of trips, they would be charged the unlimited rate. For example, with a pay-per-ride fare of $2.75 and a weekly unlimited MetroCard cost of $33 (as of October 2021), a passenger would still pay $2.75 per trip if they made 12 or fewer trips in a week; under the proposal, they would pay no more than $33 within a week, even if they made 13 or more trips.{{cite web |last=Duggan |first=Kevin |title=Cap crunch: MTA honchos working on fare limits for OMNY |website=amNewYork |date=2021-10-27 |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/mta-honchos-working-on-fare-capping-for-omny/ |access-date=2021-10-31 |archive-date=October 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031145000/https://www.amny.com/transit/mta-honchos-working-on-fare-capping-for-omny/ |url-status=live }} OMNY fare caps were implemented on February 28, 2022.{{Cite news |last=Ley |first=Ana |date=2021-12-13 |title=To Win Riders Back, M.T.A. to Offer Free Rides for 'Tap-and-Go' Customers |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/13/nyregion/omny-nyc-subway-fare-capping.html |access-date=2021-12-14 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214010710/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/13/nyregion/omny-nyc-subway-fare-capping.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Jones-Gorman |first=Jessica |title=Will NYC mass transit riders soon be able to earn free rides via OMNY? |website=silive |date=December 13, 2021 |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2021/12/will-nyc-mass-transit-riders-soon-be-able-to-earn-free-rides-via-omny.html |access-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214010816/https://www.silive.com/news/2021/12/will-nyc-mass-transit-riders-soon-be-able-to-earn-free-rides-via-omny.html |url-status=live }}

Since June 1, 2022, riders who qualified for reduced-fare MetroCards could also use OMNY with their contactless bank cards or smart devices, paying half the standard fare. At the time, reduced-fare OMNY cards were unavailable.{{Cite web |title=OMNY for Reduced-Fare |url=https://new.mta.info/fares/reduced-fare/omny |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=MTA |language=en |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511001822/https://new.mta.info/fares/reduced-fare/omny |url-status=live }} Each qualifying rider can only use one contactless card or device for reduced-fare OMNY. If a reduced-fare rider has more than one card or device, the other cards and devices will either be charged a full fare or be restricted from tapping-in at an OMNY reader.{{Cite web |title=Welcome to OMNY for Reduced-Fare |url=https://new.mta.info/welcome-to-omny |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=MTA |language=en |archive-date=July 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724101859/https://new.mta.info/welcome-to-omny |url-status=live }}

Privacy advocacy group Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) criticized the MTA and Cubic in an October 2019 report on the privacy of the OMNY system, arguing that it "allows the MTA, and potentially third parties, to collect an alarming amount of information about transit users."{{Cite web |date=2019-10-01 |title=OMNY Surveillance Oh My: New York City's Expanding Transit Surveillance Apparatus |url=https://www.stopspying.org/omny |access-date=2024-10-26 |work=Surveillance Technology Oversight Project}}{{Rp|page=1}} STOP expressed concerns that the OMNY privacy policy was unclear, and warned that the MTA could share data with the NYPD and ICE to extend the reach of police surveillance.{{Cite web |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2019/10/3/20895736/mta-omny-privacy-surveillance-report |title=A new report outlines privacy risks for the MTA's contactless payment system |last=Budds |first=Diana |date=2019-10-03 |website=Curbed NY |language=en |access-date=2019-11-01 |archive-date=October 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018162949/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/10/3/20895736/mta-omny-privacy-surveillance-report |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/policy/technology/privacy-group-raises-omny-security-concerns.html |title=Privacy group raises OMNY security concerns |last=McDonough |first=Annie |date=2019-10-02 |website=CSNY |language=en |access-date=2019-11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815160616/https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/policy/technology/privacy-group-raises-omny-security-concerns.html |archive-date=2020-08-15}}{{Cite web |url=https://gothamist.com/news/mtas-new-fare-payment-omny-launches-friday-amid-questions-about-data-security-durability |title=MTA's New Fare Payment OMNY Launches Friday Amid Questions About Data Security & Durability |last1=Nessen |first1=Stephen |date=2019-05-30 |website=Gothamist |language=en |access-date=2019-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101134240/https://gothamist.com/news/mtas-new-fare-payment-omny-launches-friday-amid-questions-about-data-security-durability |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |url-status=dead}}

In February 2020, the MTA warned that some customers using Apple Pay's Express Transit feature might be accidentally double-charged if they were using a MetroCard. This occurred when riders unintentionally had their phones in proximity to the OMNY readers. At that point, the issue was relatively rare, having been reported 30 times.{{cite web |url=https://abc7ny.com/5829278/ |title=Apple Pay can double-charge commuters who use MTA's OMNY |date=January 10, 2020 |website=ABC7 New York |access-date=February 23, 2020 |archive-date=February 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223172248/https://abc7ny.com/5829278/ |url-status=live }} Complaints also arose over the fact that riders who paid via credit card, debit card, or smart device did not get billed until several days after they had completed their trip.{{cite web |last=Matteo |first=Mike |date=2025-05-21 |title=OMNY customers face issues as MTA moves toward fully adopting system, report says |url=https://www.silive.com/transportation/2025/05/omny-customers-face-issues-as-mta-moves-toward-fully-adopting-system-report-says.html |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=silive}}{{cite web | last=Russo-Lennon | first=Barbara | title=OMNY software glitch hits NYC public transit commuters this week | website=amNewYork | date=June 3, 2025 | url=https://www.amny.com/news/omni-software-update-glitch-nyc-subway-bus/ | access-date=June 4, 2025}} The news website The City wrote in 2025 that riders had been prevented from using cards that were eligible for a pre-tax federal transit benefit, and that it often was an arduous process to contact customer-service representatives once a problem arose.{{cite web | last=Martinez | first=Jose | title=OMNY Complaints Mount as MTA Still Working Out Bugs in New System | website=THE CITY - NYC News | date=May 20, 2025 | url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/05/20/omny-complaints-mta-bugs/ | access-date=May 21, 2025}} Students similarly reported that there were delays in replacing OMNY cards that were nonfunctional or had been lost, and that the student cards were easy to damage because they were made of paper.{{cite web | last=Zimmer | first=Amy | title=Lost, damaged, deactivated: NYC schools face delays in student OMNY card replacements | website=Chalkbeat | date=February 28, 2025 | url=https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/02/28/replacement-delays-for-student-omny-cards-damage-lost-or-deactivated/ | access-date=May 21, 2025}} Other glitches included reports of turnstiles not accepting valid OMNY cards, as well as free transfers not being provided even when riders used the same card or device for both legs of their trip.

The MTA modified the OMNY website in August 2023 to remove a feature that showed users' trip history, following a 404 Media investigation{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Joseph |date=2023-08-30 |title=I Tracked an NYC Subway Rider's Movements with an MTA 'Feature' |url=https://www.404media.co/i-tracked-nyc-subway-rider-home-omny-mta/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-10-26 |work=404 Media}} that showed it had a potential for abuse.{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=2023-08-31 |title=New York subway system disables feature that could let stalkers track your trips |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/31/23854372/new-york-subway-system-mta-omny-disabled |access-date=2024-10-26 |work=The Verge}} From its launch in 2019, the OMNY website included a feature that allowed customers to view all uses of a credit or debit card at OMNY readers for the last 7 days by providing the card number and expiration. 404 Media argued that this feature easily allowed abusers or identity thieves to view a victim's travel history, as credit card numbers can be obtained relatively easily. Following the discontinuation of the trip history feature, customers who create an account can still view trip history, and accounts are not verified. STOP founder Albert Fox Cahn criticized the changes to the trip history feature as a half-measure, arguing that it still left user information vulnerable.{{Cite web |last=Mastronardi |first=Ashley |date=2023-09-06 |title=Privacy experts: OMNY system flaw left personal info vulnerable |url=https://bronx.news12.com/privacy-experts-omny-system-flaw-left-personal-info-vulnerable |access-date=2024-10-26 |work=News 12 The Bronx}}

• New York City transit fares

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