2) Why is this happening?
In an effort to improve customer experience, the Port Authority of NY & NJ (PANYNJ) is collaborating with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to unite their separate payment systems, through OMNY, allowing customers to travel seamlessly to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport as well as through the New York public transportation system.
3) What does OMNY have to do with this?
OMNY is the contactless fare payment system for public transportation in the New York region. Over time OMNY plans to unify New York’s subways, buses paratransit and commuter rails. AirTrain JFK is OMNY’s newest addition through partnership with the Port Authority.
For more information about OMNY, visit https://omny.info/
Do note what they did NOT say: PATH is not specifically mentioned above.