The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) announced that it will stop selling and refilling MetroCards by the end of 2025, accelerating the transition to its OMNY tap-and-go payment system.
The move, confirmed by MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber in an interview with Crain’s New York Business on Wednesday, could have major implications for Orthodox Jews and other New Yorkers who rely on MetroCards—particularly those who do not use smartphones.
MetroCards, which have been in use since 1994, were originally slated for retirement in 2027. However, the MTA has now moved up its timeline, eliminating MetroCard sales much sooner than expected. While commuters with remaining balances will be able to use their MetroCards until 2027, the inability to purchase or refill them after 2024 could create significant hardships for those who cannot or do not use digital payment systems.
The OMNY system, introduced in 2019, allows riders to pay by tapping their phones, credit cards, or OMNY tap cards at turnstiles. However, purchasing and managing OMNY cards requires internet access and an online account, creating a barrier for Orthodox Jews who do not carry smartphones or use digital financial services.
For many in the Orthodox Jewish community, particularly in neighborhoods like Borough Park, Williamsburg, and Crown Heights, MetroCards have been an essential way to navigate the city. The shift toward an almost entirely digital system raises concerns about accessibility.
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25 Responses
Can’t OMNY cards be purchased and refilled at vending kiosks in stations throughout the system? That doesn’t require Internet access.
I’m smelling an opportunity for another 24/6 style device for public transportation or like רב-קו app on fig phones…
Has YWN World Headquarters in NYC ever taken the NYC subway or at least done basic research?
As written in the article:
“The OMNY system, introduced in 2019, allows riders to pay by tapping their phones, credit cards, or OMNY tap cards at turnstiles.”
So, no, the phase-out of MetroCard doesn’t have “major implications”, because you could just use any credit card with a “chip”, not just a smart phone, and also you don’t need an OMNY account.
You can just rewrite the article rather than post this comment.
You can see all this here: https://omny.info/
Simple solution with no smartphone required.
Use a prepaid Visa or Mastercard if you don’t have a WiFi enabled credit or debit card.
My 12-14 year old grandchildren are using the prepaid cards for Subway and bus access.
Zaidy gave them out at Chanukkah and will replace as needed.
What about tourists?
This is so idiotic!
What happens if the system is down?
MetroCards are an ANONYMOUS form of payment, like cash.
OMNY payments permit the MTA to immediately know the
name, address, phone number and age of every passenger.
There is no anonymity and no privacy.
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU!!
What about a non “orthodoxjew” without a smartphone??
Get outta NYC
Most disgusting city in the world
they don’t use smartphones? more importantly, where do they park their ferds, now that the city is doing away with hitching posts?
This article makes no sense.
The benefit of the OMNY system is that you can ALSO use your smartphone, you can ALSO use your credit card, you can ALSO refill the card on your online account.
Refilling your OMNY card through the machines in the station will still be available, and these machines will take over the outdated metrocard machines.
You can tap to pay with credit card or buy an OMNY card in one of the many retail locations
you can buy a phsyical OMNY Card. https://omny.info/omny-card
Use a credit card everyone has credit cards stop stirring up controversy for no reason
it is not such an issue all you really need is a credit card to pay for the bus
Not sure what the crisis is about. You can use any contactless credit card (basically all credit cards today) on OMNY machines. No need for an special OMNY card, with all the same benefits.
Or they can use cash…
From the OMNY card website:
“Can I use cash with OMNY?
If you prefer to pay in cash, you can use either a reloadable prepaid card or an OMNY card. If you use a reloadable prepaid card, you can prepay your card with cash at locations where reloadable prepaid cards are sold.
You can also use cash to buy a new OMNY card or reload an existing OMNY card at more than 2,000 retail locations across the New York metropolitan area.”
can use a credit card
OMNY cards can be purchased and funded manually at any OMNI card vending machine in many subway stations across the city. Additionally, the OMNI card website is accessible through almost all of the frum internet filters.
OMNY cards will be used instead no challenge for anyone.
Just last week, I purchased a physical OMNI card at my local train station.
Almost the same as a Metrocard, but you can also use your credit cards (or smartphone – if you have one).
Ryanair also announced by November they will be requiring Smartphones to board a plane.
I don’t understand , you just tap your credit card like you would do at a store ,any point of sale.. no need for “Omni”.. it’s only a problem if you don’t have a credit card.
Just tap your credit card , like you would at any point of sale. No need for phone computer Internet.. only a problem of you do not a credit card.
Only a problem if you do not own a credit card