OMNY is now the only way to ride public transit in New York City.
Now that the MetroCard has officially retired, the MTA’s contactless fare system has fully taken over — meaning all subway, bus, and Staten Island Railway rides now run through OMNY.
Many New Yorkers have already made the switch by setting up OMNY accounts, tapping to pay with their phones, or picking up physical OMNY cards.
But what some riders still don’t realize is that the MTA offers reduced-fare OMNY cards for certain New Yorkers — cutting the cost of a ride in half.
That means eligible riders pay $1.50 per trip on subways, local buses, and the Staten Island Railway.
Here’s exactly who qualifies, how to apply, and what to know now that OMNY is the only fare option in NYC.
Eligibility requirements for reduced-fare OMNY cards
Before you get too excited, keep in mind that reduced-fare OMNY cards are only available to certain New Yorkers who qualify.
Two groups of people are eligible for reduced-fare OMNY cards:
- Elders – anyone age 65 or over
- Disabled New Yorkers – anyone with a qualifying disability including: receiving Medicare benefits for any reason other than age, serious mental illness and receiving Supplemental Security Income, blindness, deafness or hearing loss, ambulatory disability, cognitive disability, other physical disability
How to apply for a reduced-fare OMNY card
If you are eligible for the reduced-fare OMNY card, there are a couple of ways to apply. You can do so either in person or by mail. Full details below.
In Person
One way to apply for the reduced-fare OMNY card is by doing so in person.
New Yorkers can either visit Customer Service Centers at select subway stations, the Customer Service Center at 3 Stone St in Lower Manhattan on weekdays, or Mobile Sales vehicles that roam NYC helping with sign ups.
Most times, individuals 65 and older and sign up and receive the card the same day, and if you have a disability you can receive in-person, individualized assistance.
When signing up in person, don’t forget your essential documents! This includes a valid ID and disability documentation (if applicable).
By Mail
The other way to apply for a reduced-fare OMNY card is by mail.
To do this you need to start by downloading the correct application which differs for people over 65 and for people with disabilities.
Once the application is filled out, attach a passport-style photo, copy of ID, and proof of disability (if applicable) in with the application. Final step, mail it in to the address below:
MTA New York City Transit
Attn: Reduced Fare Program
130 Livingston St
Brooklyn, NY 11201-9625
If applying by mail, expect the card to arrive within 2 – 3 weeks.
What if I used to have a reduced-fare MetroCard?
Now that MetroCards are officially retired, all riders must use OMNY, including those who previously relied on reduced-fare MetroCards.
If you were enrolled in the Reduced-Fare Program, the MTA has already transitioned eligible riders to OMNY. Many customers automatically received a reduced-fare OMNY card, but if you never got one or need a replacement, you can:
- Visit a Customer Service Center
- Speak with a Mobile Sales team
- Call 511 for assistance
Once you have your reduced-fare OMNY card, it becomes your primary (and only) way to access reduced fares across the transit system.
How to refill your reduced-fare OMNY card
Once you obtain your reduced-fare OMNY card, there are a few different ways to load money onto it. Cash, credit, or debit are all accepted! See all options below:
- Add money at an OMNY vending machine in a subway station (full list here)
- Make a free OMNY account online and load funds (sign up here)
- Reload at a participating store in NYC (full list here)
- Talk to MTA’s Mobile Sales team near you (full routes and times)
- Call the OMNY Call Center at 877-789-6669
