OMNY lets you tap a credit card, debit card, or mobile device at subway and bus readers instead of buying a MetroCard

OMNY (One Metro New York) is the contactless payment system for the New York City subway and bus network. You can pay each fare by tapping a credit card, debit card, or phone with a digital wallet at the reader when you enter the station or board a bus. You do not need to buy a physical card or load money in advance — the fare charges to your card or account when ready.

The system works across the MTA's subway lines, local and express buses, the Staten Island Railway, and the Airtrain at JFK Airport. OMNY readers are installed at every subway entrance and on every bus. You can use any contactless credit or debit card, or any phone with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay set up.

Key Takeaways

  • You can tap any contactless credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet at the OMNY reader — no account or registration needed to start paying.
  • A single ride costs $2.90, and OMNY automatically caps your weekly spending at $33.50 (the equivalent of 12 rides) if you tap the same card repeatedly.
  • The weekly cap resets every Sunday at midnight, so your spending limit refreshes each week.
  • You can track your rides and spending through the OMNY app or by checking your bank or card statement.
  • OMNY works on subways, buses, the Staten Island Railway, and the Airtrain, but some express buses and the Long Island Rail Road are not yet included.

How to tap your card or phone at the reader

Hold your card or phone about 2 inches from the OMNY reader until you see a green light and hear a beep. The reader is usually mounted on a pole or wall near the turnstile entrance on the subway, or on the bus near the driver. The entire tap takes less than a second.

If the reader shows a red light or you do not hear a beep, try tapping again. Some cards or phones have a delay the first time you use them with OMNY. If the reader still does not respond, use a different card or phone if you have one, or ask the station agent or bus driver for help.

On the subway, tap at any entrance gate. On a bus, tap the reader when you board — the driver will wave you through if the tap goes through. You do not need to tap again when you exit.

Understanding the $2.90 fare and weekly cap

Each tap charges $2.90 to your card or account. If you tap the same card or phone seven or more times in a week, OMNY stops charging you after the 12th tap. Your weekly spending is then capped at $33.50, which is the cost of 12 rides. This cap applies only if you use the same card or device repeatedly — if you alternate between two different cards, each card gets its own cap.

The weekly cap resets every Sunday at midnight. If you tap on Sunday and then again on Monday, both taps count toward the new week's cap. The cap is automatic — you do not need to do anything to turn it on.

If you are a student or senior, you cannot use OMNY to pay the reduced fare. You will need to use a physical Reduced-Fare MetroCard or a digital Reduced-Fare card through the MTA's website.

Tracking your rides and spending

You can see your OMNY transactions in two ways: through the OMNY app or through your bank or card statement. The OMNY app shows each tap, the date and time, the station or bus route, and the amount charged. You can read the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

To use the OMNY app, you do not need to register or create an account before you start tapping. You can add your card to the app after you have made a few taps, and the app will show your transaction history. The app also displays your remaining balance toward the weekly cap, so you can see how many more rides you can take before you hit the $33.50 limit.

Your bank or card statement will also show each OMNY charge, listed as "MTA" or "New York City Transit." If you do not see a charge on your statement within a few days of tapping, contact your bank or card issuer.

Which cards and phones work with OMNY

Any credit or debit card with a contactless symbol (usually a curved wave icon) works with OMNY. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards all work. If your card does not have the contactless symbol, it may still work — ask your bank or card issuer, or try tapping it at a reader.

For phones, you need Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay set up with a contactless card or bank account. iPhones with Face ID or Touch ID can use Apple Pay. Android phones can use Google Pay or Samsung Pay. You do not need to unlock your phone or open an app — just hold it near the reader.

Some prepaid cards and gift cards do not work with OMNY. If you are unsure whether your card is contactless, look for the wave symbol on the front or back, or contact your card issuer.

What OMNY does not yet cover

OMNY works on the subway, local and express buses, the Staten Island Railway, and the Airtrain at JFK. However, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad do not yet accept OMNY — you will still need a ticket or a different payment method for those services.

Some express bus routes may have different payment rules or may not yet accept OMNY. Check the MTA website or ask the driver if you are unsure whether a specific route accepts OMNY.

Troubleshooting common issues

If your card or phone does not tap through, the reader may not recognize it as contactless. Try tapping a different card or phone if you have one. If that works, your original card or phone may not be set up for contactless payments — contact your bank or card issuer to enable it.

If you see a red light or an error message, move your card or phone slightly closer or farther from the reader and try again. Some readers are slower than others. If the reader still does not work, use a different entrance or ask a station agent for help.

If you were charged twice for one trip, contact the MTA's customer service line at 511 or visit the MTA website to report the issue. The MTA can review your transaction and issue a refund if the charge was an error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to create an account or register before I use OMNY?

No. You can tap your card or phone at any OMNY reader without signing up. Registration is optional and only needed if you want to track your rides in the OMNY app or set up other features.

What happens if I lose my card or phone?

If you lose a card, contact your bank or card issuer to cancel it. OMNY charges will stop once the card is deactivated. If you lose your phone, you can remove the card from your digital wallet through your phone provider's website. Future taps with that card or phone will not go through.

Can I use OMNY if I do not have a bank account?

You need a contactless credit or debit card or a phone with a digital wallet linked to a card or bank account. If you do not have either, you can still buy a physical MetroCard at a station booth or vending machine.

Is OMNY more expensive than a MetroCard?

The per-ride cost is the same: $2.90. Both OMNY and MetroCard have a weekly cap of $33.50 for 12 rides. The main difference is that OMNY does not require you to buy a card or load money in advance.

Can I use OMNY on the Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North?

Not yet. OMNY currently works only on the subway, buses, Staten Island Railway, and Airtrain. The LIRR and Metro-North still require separate tickets or payment methods.