NYC MTA Helps Seniors Master New Payment Tech
MTA official trains Queens seniors on OMNY contactless payment ahead of MetroCard phase-out
MTA Brings OMNY Training to Queens Senior Center
MTA NYC Transit's Senior Vice President of Subways visited a Queens senior center Wednesday to help older riders learn the system's contactless payment technology. Demetrius Crichlow led the November 20 session at Robert Couche Senior Center, where he demonstrated how seniors can tap cards or phones to pay fares. The outreach comes as the MTA prepares to phase out MetroCards completely, making OMNY the only payment option for the system's subway and bus network.
OMNY System Now Serves All Riders
The MTA launched OMNY in May 2019 at select stations and expanded it system-wide by December 2020. The agency added reduced-fare options for seniors and people with disabilities in January 2024, allowing eligible riders to access half-price fares through the contactless system. Since launch, riders have made more than 2 billion OMNY taps, with about 4 million taps recorded daily across the network. Officials said the technology offers faster boarding times and eliminates the need to purchase physical MetroCards at vending machines.
Education Effort Targets Older Riders
Crichlow told seniors at the event that the agency wants all customers to feel confident using OMNY. "We want to make sure that all of our customers, including our senior riders, feel confident and comfortable using OMNY. It's fast, it's easy, and it's secure," he said. The $723 million system accepts contactless credit and debit cards, smartphones, and smartwatches at all subway turnstiles and bus readers. Officials didn't say how many seniors attended the Queens session or how many similar events they've scheduled at other senior centers.
MetroCard Phase-Out Drives Outreach
The MTA announced in 2024 that it'll discontinue MetroCards entirely, though officials haven't provided a specific timeline for when the cards will no longer be accepted. Transit officials said the senior center visits are part of ongoing efforts to prepare all riders for the transition. The agency said it'll continue outreach to communities where riders may need additional support learning the new technology, but didn't specify which neighborhoods or how many events are planned.
Riders Can Access Real-Time Information
Seniors and other riders who adopt OMNY will benefit from faster fare payment and automatic fare capping, which ensures customers never pay more than the weekly fare limit. Transit officials said the system also provides better security than cash or MetroCards since lost cards can be deactivated and balances transferred. Riders can check their OMNY account balances and trip history through the Moovit app, which provides real-time updates for MTA subway and bus routes throughout New York City.
