Though OMNY payments have become a popular fare choice for subway riders (at or above 45% of paid subway rides), JFK’s AirTrain has been a bit outdated…until now! Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced AirTrain JFK will start accepting tap-and-go (OMNY) payments ahead of travel season on Tuesday, October 10th.
“We are making it easier than ever for travelers to take the train to JFK, and for visitors to our great city to use one of its most essential services – the MTA,” Governor Hochul said. “As we continue to rollout OMNY throughout the system, I encourage everyone to take advantage of this service and travel safely.”
A one-way fare comes to $8.25 from Jamaica or Howard Beach stations. However, travel via AirTrain between airport terminals will remain free of charge. All AirTrain JFK stations remain open 24/7.
Contactless debit/credit cards, digital wallets and OMNY cards will all be accepted through the new payment system. MetroCards will remain an additional payment option at fare gates that accept them. All fare gates will have an OMNY reader installed by 2024.
“In September subway and bus customers tapped more than 2 million times on a single day, and now they’ll be able to use OMNY at the AirTrain JFK for much quicker passenger flow to and from the airport,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Whether you’re headed to catch a plane or returning home to New York, AirTrain riders can now take full advantage of this time-saving and seamless way to travel in the city.”
OMNY currently has a 79% fare payment satisfaction rate, with riders tapping across 472 subway stations, 204 local bus routes and 31 express buses.
“I am thrilled to see OMNY’s integration with the Air Train at JFK, a significant step towards enhancing transportation convenience for New Yorkers,” said New York City Councilmember Nantasha Williams. “This technological advancement not only streamlines travel but also underscores our commitment to making transportation more accessible and efficient for our constituents. This innovation will only further Downtown Jamaica’s reputation as one of the most accessible transit hubs of the outer boroughs.”