OMNY Implementation/Metro-Card Retirement Discussion Thread

[mikecintel]

3 hours ago, QM1to6Ave said:

 

As @Kamen Rider and other MTA employees have posted, there's seemingly no sign of the Employee Pass being switched over to OMNY, and until that happens, the metrocard tech has to stay around or the whole employee system will fall apart. But they don't advertise that to the public. 

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.

Edited April 29 by mikecintel

[IAlam]

On 4/17/2024 at 8:36 AM, ABOGbrooklyn said:

OMNY bus should be a Orion NG..

Oops, I was away for a while but I was thinking the wide-leaf Nova's would be perfect. They're numbered 8000-8014 IIRC.

[mikecintel]

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.

[Lex]

10 hours ago, IAlam said:

Oops, I was away for a while but I was thinking the wide-leaf Nova's would be perfect. They're numbered 8000-8014 IIRC.

Ah, the Allisons.

[Chris89292]

Apparently the MTA has activated 39 omny card machines at 25 stations, does this mean the end of the metro card is slowly approaching???

[mikecintel]

29 minutes ago, Chris89292 said:

Apparently the MTA has activated 39 omny card machines at 25 stations, does this mean the end of the metro card is slowly approaching???

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.

[mikecintel]

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.

[ABOGbrooklyn]

On 5/1/2024 at 2:10 PM, mikecintel said:

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.

And there's still no reduced fare OMNY card for all users yet..

[mikecintel]

5 minutes ago, ABOGbrooklyn said:

And there's still no reduced fare OMNY card for all users yet..

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.

[7-express]

Just got a new reduced-fare EasyPay MetroCard in the mail for my dad with a 9/30/2025 expiry date.  It had the usual language of switching to OMNY using an NFC device or linked credit/debit card.  Otherwise, just wait for the reduced fare OMNY card to be sent out.  Guess there's no changes coming for this situation yet.

[mikecintel]

26 minutes ago, 7-express said:

Just got a new reduced-fare EasyPay MetroCard in the mail for my dad with a 9/30/2025 expiry date.  It had the usual language of switching to OMNY using an NFC device or linked credit/debit card.  Otherwise, just wait for the reduced fare OMNY card to be sent out.  Guess there's no changes coming for this situation yet.

OK I see. Great then I can continuing using my 30 day unlimited metro card. Thanks for the updated. Well the MTA meeting is coming soon on May 20th and they will talk about the OMNY cards. Can't wait to see what they will say and obviously they will talk about the vending machines that is being rolled out.

[Lex]

"No reloads available."

What?