You can use any major credit or debit card to pay reduced fare on OMNY, the contactless payment system for New York City transit
OMNY (One Metro New York) is the tap-to-pay system for subways and buses in New York City. When you tap a credit or debit card at an OMNY reader, the system automatically applies reduced fare if you meet the requirements — you do not have to do anything extra or prove your status at the moment of payment. The card itself does the work.
Reduced fare on OMNY costs $1.35 per ride instead of the standard $2.90. You get this rate if you are 65 or older, have a may have access to disability, or receive certain public benefits. The system checks your card against the city's database each time you tap, so you need to use the same card every time.
This guide walks you through how to set up a card for reduced fare, what to expect when you tap, and what to do if the reduced rate does not appear.
Key Takeaways
- You must link your credit or debit card to your OMNY account and verify your reduced-fare status through the OMNY website or app before the card will work at reduced rates.
- Reduced fare is $1.35 per ride if you are 65 or older, have a may have access to disability, or receive SSI, SNAP, or certain other public benefits.
- You tap the same card every time you board — the system checks your status automatically and deducts the correct fare.
- If your card is declined or charges full fare, contact OMNY customer service or check your account status online to see if your reduced-fare status expired or needs to be reconfirmed.
Which cards work with OMNY reduced fare
Any major credit card or debit card works with OMNY, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The card must have contactless payment enabled — most cards issued in the last five years have this built in, but older cards may not. You can check whether your card has contactless capability by looking for a small curved-lines symbol on the front or back.
You can also use a digital wallet like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay linked to your card. When you use a digital wallet, you tap your phone or smartwatch instead of the physical card. The reduced-fare rules are the same either way.
You cannot use cash, a MetroCard, or a prepaid card that is not linked to a bank account. OMNY does not accept those payment methods for reduced fare.
How to set up your card for reduced fare
Go to the OMNY website at omny.info and click "Sign In" in the top right corner. If you do not have an account, click "Create Account" and enter your email address and a password. You will receive a confirmation email — click the link to verify your account.
Once you are signed in, click "Add a Payment Method" and enter your credit or debit card details. The system will ask for the card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit security code on the back). After you add the card, you will see it listed in your account.
Next, click "Reduced Fare Status" or "Manage Reduced Fare" (the exact wording varies). You will be asked to verify your status by uploading a document. The documents OMNY accepts depend on which category you fall into:
- Age 65 or older: a government-issued ID showing your date of birth, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card.
- Disability: a Reduced Fare Permit issued by the MTA, a Social Security Administration letter stating you receive disability benefits, or a letter from a government agency confirming your disability status.
- Public benefits: a current benefits card or letter from the agency that issued your benefits, such as SSI, SNAP, or TANF.
Upload a clear photo or scan of the document. OMNY will review it within a few business days. Once your status is confirmed, your card is ready to use at reduced rates.
How to tap your card and pay reduced fare
When you enter the subway or board a bus, locate the yellow OMNY reader near the turnstile or fare gate. Hold your card or phone about 2 to 4 inches from the reader and tap it gently. You will hear a beep and see a green light — this means the payment went through.
The reader will display your fare amount on a small screen. If you have reduced-fare status, it will show $1.35. If it shows $2.90, your reduced-fare status may not be active yet, or there may be a problem with your account.
You do not need to open an app, enter a PIN, or show any ID. The system checks your status automatically each time you tap. If your reduced-fare status has expired, the system will charge you full fare and send you a notification.
What to do if your card is declined or charges full fare
If the reader rejects your card or charges $2.90 instead of $1.35, first check that you are using the same card you registered for reduced fare. If you are using a different card or a digital wallet linked to a different card, it will not have reduced-fare status.
If you are using the correct card, sign into your OMNY account and check your reduced-fare status. Look for an expiration date or a message saying your status needs to be reconfirmed. Some reduced-fare statuses expire after one or two years and must be renewed by uploading a new document.
If your status shows as active and current, contact OMNY customer service. You can call 511 from any phone in New York, or visit omny.info and click "Contact Us" to email or chat with a representative. Have your card number and account email ready. They can check whether your card is linked correctly and whether there is a technical issue preventing the reduced rate from explore.
Reduced-fare status expiration and renewal
Reduced-fare status does not last forever. The length of time your status remains active depends on the document you used to verify it. Age-based status (65 or older) typically lasts for the life of your account, since your age does not change. Disability and public-benefits status usually expire after one or two years.
OMNY will send you an email notification when your status is about to expire. You will have a grace period to renew — usually 30 days — during which your card will still work at reduced rates. To renew, sign into your account, go to "Reduced Fare Status," and upload a new document showing your current status.
If you do not renew before the grace period ends, your card will revert to full fare. You can reactivate reduced fare at any time by uploading a new document, but you will be charged full fare for any rides taken after the grace period expires.
Troubleshooting common problems
If your card works at some readers but not others, the problem is usually with the reader, not your card. Some readers are older and do not work reliably with contactless payments. Try a different reader or a different entrance. If the same card fails at multiple readers, contact OMNY customer service.
If you added your card to a digital wallet but it is not working with OMNY, make sure the wallet is set to use the card you registered for reduced fare. Some phones default to a different card if you have multiple cards in your wallet. Open your wallet settings and check which card is set as the default payment method.
If you see a charge on your card but did not tap at a reader, or if you were charged twice for a single ride, contact your card issuer and OMNY customer service. Duplicate charges are rare but can happen if the reader processes the same tap twice. OMNY can investigate and request a refund from your card issuer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid card or gift card for reduced fare?
No. OMNY reduced fare only works with credit cards and debit cards linked to a bank account. Prepaid cards, gift cards, and store cards do not work, even if they have contactless payment enabled. You must use a traditional credit or debit card.
What happens if my reduced-fare status expires while I am in the middle of a trip?
Your card will be charged full fare for any rides taken after your status expires, even if it expired while you were already in the system. OMNY checks your status at the moment you tap, not when you exit. Renew your status before the expiration date to avoid being charged full fare.
Can someone else use my card to get reduced fare?
Technically yes, but OMNY is designed for personal use. Your card is linked to your account and your verified status. If someone else uses your card, they will receive the reduced fare you are may have access to to. OMNY does not track who is using the card, only that the card has valid reduced-fare status.
Do I need to carry my reduced-fare document with me every time I ride?
No. Once your status is verified in your OMNY account, you do not need to carry any document. The system checks your status electronically when you tap. You only need the document when you first set up reduced fare or when you renew your status.
What if I lose my card or need to switch to a different card?
Sign into your OMNY account and remove the old card from your payment methods. Add your new card and transfer your reduced-fare status to it by uploading your document again. OMNY will link your reduced-fare status to the new card within a few business days. Until then, use your old card if you still have it.