Tap to pay technology has been a part of NYC's infrastructure since 2014, when the first contactless payment systems were introduced.
The MTA, or Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was one of the first to adopt tap to pay technology, allowing riders to pay their fares with a simple tap of their card.
In 2017, the MTA expanded its contactless payment system to include OMNY, a digital payment system that allows riders to pay with their credit or debit cards, as well as their mobile devices.
NYC's tap to pay technology has come a long way since its inception, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to navigate the city's public transportation system.
History of OMNY
OMNY, the contactless payment system used by New York City's subway system, has a rich history that spans several years.
It was first introduced in 2016 as a pilot program in the city, with the goal of making public transportation more convenient and efficient.
The system was initially tested on the 4, 5, and 6 subway lines, with the first OMNY readers installed at 11 subway stations.
In 2019, OMNY was expanded to all 472 subway stations, allowing riders to use their credit cards or mobile devices to pay their fares.
By 2020, OMNY had become the primary payment method for subway riders, with over 90% of riders using the system.
Today, OMNY is used by millions of riders every day, making it one of the most widely used contactless payment systems in the world.
Expansion of OMNY
The expansion of OMNY has been a gradual process, but it's been making great strides in recent years. By the close of 2019, OMNY had been installed at 64 subway stations across Manhattan and Brooklyn and all Staten Island buses.
The MTA has been actively working to expand OMNY to more stations, with the goal of having the system in place at all 472 subway stations and all MTA bus routes by the end of 2020. As of early November, OMNY had surpassed three million taps, and by the end of January 2020, the system had expanded to 124 stations.
New stations are being added every month, with the latest expansion including 60 more stations by the end of January 2020. Some of the new stations include Herald Square, Bryant Park, World Trade Center, and Jay Street-MetroTech.
Here is a list of the new stations that will be OMNY-enabled by the end of January 2020:
- The B, D lines from 145 St to West 4th Street-Washington Square
- The F,M lines between 47th-50th Streets-Rockefeller Center and West 4th Street-Washington Square
- A, C stations from Inwood-207th Street on the A line and 168th Street on the C line, down 8th Avenue in Manhattan to Jay Street-MetroTech in Brooklyn
- The E line from 50th Street to the end of the line at World Trade Center
The OMNY system is expected to be fully in place by 2023, at which point MetroCards will no longer be accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New York have tap?
Yes, New York offers a program called TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) for eligible residents. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and a legal New York State resident with 12 months of continuous residency.
Sources
- https://www.medialogic.com/blog/financial-services-marketing/adoption-of-tap-to-pay/
- https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/payments/analytics-and-insights/keeping-new-york-moving-forward
- https://new.mta.info/press-release/its-omny-time-everywhere
- https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/mta-rolls-out-new-omny-scanners/
- https://www.6sqft.com/60-more-subway-stations-will-get-mtas-tap-to-pay-system-this-month/
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