mikecintel

I called them and they said it "should be" before the holidays and it should be in the "Summer or the Fall" like July, Aug, or Sept. Another words the rep that works in the OMNY cell doesn't even know. Take that with a grain of salt. Hopefully this month MTA meeting will say when the Reduce Fare OMNY cards will come out and for the student OMNY cards when it will be available. The student OMNY should be available in the beginning of the school year for the Fall of 2024.

I just went to the MTA website and they are talking about Fair Fares OMNY Pilot Program. Her the link: https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta-new-york-city-department-of-social-services-announce-launch-of-fair-fares-omny MTA, New York City Department of Social Services Announce Launch of Fair Fares OMNY Pilot Program For First Time Ever, Riders Enrolled in NYC Fair Fares Program Can Use Contactless Payments with OMNY Card on Subway and Buses 90-Day Pilot Launch Following Largest Single Day of Action for Fair Fares Enrollment MTA Has Activated 39 OMNY Card Vending Machines at 25 Stations The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) today announced the official launch of the Fair Fares pilot on OMNY, the Authority’s contactless fare payment system. Fair Fares customers registered for the pilot can now use OMNY cards to pay via tap-and-go on New York City subways and buses. The pilot is scheduled to run for 90 days, which will allow for the agency to collect feedback from participants, evaluate the pilot, and finalize a plan for the full transition to OMNY across all Fair Fares customers at a later date. There are currently 50 Fair Fares members enrolled and already tapping into the subway system and on buses with OMNY cards as part of the pilot program. Following the Adams Administration’s implementation of the first-ever expansion of Fair Fares eligibility, extensive community outreach, and numerous enrollment events held in partnership with the MTA, elected officials, agency partners, and community-based organizations, more New Yorkers than ever – over 330,000 – are currently enrolled in Fair Fares. This pilot comes after the MTA, New York City, Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement held the most expansive single day of action in all five boroughs of New York City to promote and enroll riders into the City’s half-priced Fair Fares program. Additionally on April 29, the Authority announced the completion of its OMNY Card Vending Machine rollout pilot program. To date, MTA crews have activated 39 machines at 25 stations with more activations scheduled – providing additional ways pilot participants can reload their cards. “Targeted affordability is key to not only growing ridership, but ensuring the most loyal transit riders, no pun intended, pay the fair fare,” said NYC Transit President Richard Davey. “Fair Fares reps have been great partners, joining our TransitTalks to help spread the word about this vital program. Fair Fares has serious potential to be a game-changer, and with OMNY now in the mix the potential to substantially grow the program is highest it has ever been.” “Transit needs to work financially for all New Yorkers,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer and Senior Advisor Shanifah Rieara. “Last month we held the most expansive Day of Action for Fair Fares, because there are so many that rely on transit who do not realize they qualify for the discounted fare. This pilot is a major step in the right direction, and along with our City partners, will continue outreach to riders in every borough so they know benefits available to them including fare capping which would give them an even better deal.” “New York City’s public transit system is one of our city’s greatest resources, and it is critical that every New Yorker is able to afford to utilize it without sacrificing elsewhere,” said DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “As a result of our robust outreach efforts and program eligibility expansion, more low-income New Yorkers than ever are receiving half-priced fares through Fair Fares, and as we enroll even more eligible individuals, it is imperative that there is no disruption in service as we transition to OMNY. This pilot will ensure we have the necessary information and feedback to make the full transition smooth and painless for all Fair Fares enrollees.” Pilot participants attended an in-person orientation where they were able to ask questions about the pilot, including how to reload the OMNY card, which, just like a MetroCard, must have money added to it before it can be used. The Fair Fares discount is added to the OMNY Cards when they are assigned to a participant and all participants will be able to continue using their OMNY card with the Fair Fares discount even after the pilot concludes. As outlined in the Blue-Ribbon Report on MTA Fare and Toll Evasion, the Authority is aggressively expanding awareness around the Fair Fares program among the riding public to actively increase enrollment. City representatives and MTA staff informed and directed riders to the right resources and information, while offering the opportunity to sign up on site. Reduced-Fare customers and select Fair Fares customers in the pilot program can now pay their fare with OMNY. In addition to being able to pay for the fare on subways and buses customers taking the Roosevelt Island Tramway and AirTrain JFK can use OMNY to pay full fare.

Good question. I "think" so but we have to wait for the MTA to say something about that. The meeting was suppose to talk about OMNY last month but it got push back to this month at the end of May. I guess we will find out soon.

Update on Main Street Flushing OMNY machines: Yesterday while coming back from work the OMNY machines at Flushing says "Out of service". I guess it is not yet to roll out.

I see. They want us (as customers) to switch first. If they announce that Employee are not switching until the OMNY is all over the system then i guess a lot of customers will not switch until all OMNY system are in placed like LIRR and the MNR etc.

I agree with you and most of the time the Metro card machines are not working or it says "Bill not accepted" or only "single rides only" and the mini metro card machines are taken away. People will have a hard time finding a working metro card machines now.

I see about your grandfather. Oh wow they are still giving out Metro cards to seniors still....unreal. But they tell people to switch to OMNY cards. Not all people have smart phones and smart watches like elders. They probably have basic phones like flip phones. Guess we will wait. Now we have to wait for another month for the meeting about OMNY ugh. I wish this can be done with about OMNY and be switched already.

Sigh.....I just went to the MTA website to look at next week board meting and they will NOT talk about OMNY...ugh. I was looking forward to the meeting...oh well... This is what they have in the CPC book. I'll will wait till next month. II. Specific Agenda Items May 2024 President’s Update OMNY June 2024 President’s Update Rolling Stock Diversity Quarterly Traffic Light Report July 2024 President’s Update Integrated Projects September 2024 President’s Update Agency Initiatives Quarterly Traffic Light Report October 2024 President’s Update Stations November 2024 President’s Update Railroads December 2024 President’s Update Bridges & Tunnels Quarterly Traffic Light Report Year of 2025 meetings January 2025 President’s Update Infrastructure February 2025 President’s Update Agency Initiatives March 2025 President’s Update Signals Quarterly Traffic Light Report April 2025 President’s Update System

I see. Yes that station has the most Metro card usage and that way a lot of people can "convert" to the OMNY system. The website https://new.mta.info/article/introducing-omny-vending-machines is a good resource because it tells you what station has OMNY and is active. For the Flushing Main Street there are still Metro Card machines and they are located at the Dunkin Donuts entrance and Asian Bakery entrance that still has Metro Card machines. I guess they will be installing OMNY machines soon at those entrances soon. I wonder when the reduce fare physical OMNY cards will be sent to senior that are on that program.

Update there are a total of 4 OMNY machines at Main Street Flushing on my way home from work I saw 4 OMNY machines but I think contractors are working on the them. That's pretty quick how they set that up.

I see. The Main Street one is turned on today I saw it when heading or work today 4-24-24. Yesterday 4-23-24 when I got to Main street and head home I saw the MTA contractors was working on the machine probably to turn it on and see if everything is working. Looks like the OMNY machines are finally rolling. BTW it is scheduled to be completed in 2025. I went to OMNY.info and it says "OMNY rollout completion 2025 The rollout of OMNY will occur in phases until OMNY is available everywhere for everyone." Here are the "active" OMNY vending machines that are available: https://new.mta.info/article/introducing-omny-vending-machines

I just saw an 1 OMNY machine was just installed in the Flushing Main Street today April 23, 2024. Can't wait till next Monday for the MTA meeting and it will talk about OMNY and where they are at.

I see. I think it is dull and plain. I like it colorful. I feel it's so better and it is lively and yes I know it is only a card.

Yes just like the Metro Card it will become history but it will take a while to be history. They should make color OMNY cards instead of plain B&W just like Metro Cards.

That's great you have 3 cards. I have 3 cards but I bought them for $1. The other 2 cards I had I lost them so. Total is $10 I paid for it. Ugh!. Keep it for spare and besides when the MTA has a 2nd generation of OMNY cards which I think they in the future but a very long time that will happen. You can keep those 3 cards as a memorabilia when the 2nd generation starts whenever we it will be produced. You can also "sell them" if you have not use it and it is not registered.

Yes what you said is correct with now a days everything is "mergers" just like the banks Capital one want to "merge" with Discover card. I remember those times like the Queens Surface corp and LIB.

Regarding about EasyPayXpress Customer they are lucky because they will not have to pay for an OMNY card and they will get it for FREE. I can't wait for the April meeting regarding about OMNY. I "think" that would be the last meeting about OMNY because in the CPC book for the future meeting dates they didn't mention anything about OMNY anymore.

So true. Yes that is right.

OK great so that means it is "slowly" rolling out. Let's see if it is completed by the end of 2024 which I doubt. I think 2025 is more likely to finished deploying OMNY machines.

I just exchanged my Metro Card that expires today and the new Metro Card says it will expire on Aug 31, 2025. I have one more card to exchange and that will be Dec 31, 2024. Let's see if there will be any new expiration date then. Will post about that then when I do exchange the other Metro Card in December.

100% agreed with you. It is Zero customer service. Basically the suggestion or question made to the MTA it is like talking to robot. Yup they simply "don't care" and they only care about jacking the price do false advertising until when something major happen and the NTSB or some other agency investigate the MTA and then they get their act together. Yes we need another Byford is what we need and that is truly customer service. I miss Byford. The MTA is going down hill. I wonder when another company will "acquire" the MTA.Hmmmm.

Yes you are right very few people think like me what I said about customer service. I work Info Tech in the help desk and that is what they train us so that is why i am saying that. Yes that I agree with you the poor gets poorer. Well what you said is true expecting exceptional customer in this day and age it is gone. I agree that there is arguments between the MTA and the riding public. I understand what you mean about this day but Richard Davy should not say we are improving customer service when there is no customer service. Too me that is like "false advertising".

Yes #4 is referencing to #5. I have no faith in the MTA anymore after this. This pretty sad. I agree with you about what you are saying about koo-aid drinkers. When I call CS for MTA all they say is I don't know and that is it and they hang you up. I am so sick of that nonsense. I work in Info Tech and I can't do that to my customers at all. If I don't know I ask my supervisor or my colleagues for help and then when I find out the answer and I call the customers back. Then they (customers) write an email to supervisor saying I am doing a great job and that I finding the answering calling them back. MTA should do that too but I don't see that happening at all. Zero chance at all.

I am surprised that someone copy and paste my quote putting FB but at least that shows people are stopping by this forum to look so that is good.

Never mind it is back.