Omny is a contactless payment system for New York City transit that lets you tap a credit card, debit card, or mobile device instead of buying a MetroCard
Omny works on buses and subway lines across the MTA network in New York City. You tap your payment method at a reader when you board — no card to buy, no balance to track, no app to read. The system charges you per ride and caps your daily and weekly costs so you never pay more than you would with a weekly MetroCard.
The system is run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and is now the default payment method for most riders. You can use any major credit card, debit card, or compatible mobile wallet. The same payment method works on buses and subways without switching or reloading.
Key Takeaways
- Omny accepts any major credit or debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Fitbit Pay without requiring you to create an account or read an app.
- A single ride costs $2.90, but the system automatically caps your spending at $33.50 per week (the price of a weekly MetroCard) so you do not overpay.
- You tap your card or phone at the reader when you board — the same readers work for both buses and subways.
- The MTA does not charge a fee for using Omny, and you can switch between different cards or devices on the same account by registering them online.
What payment methods work with Omny
Omny accepts any card with a contactless symbol — a small curved wave icon on the front or back. Most credit and debit cards issued in the United States in the last five years have this feature. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards all work. If your card does not have the symbol, you can still use a mobile wallet instead.
Mobile wallets are the fastest option if you have a smartphone. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Fitbit Pay all work with Omny. You set up your payment method once in your phone's wallet app, then tap your phone at the reader. You do not need to unlock your phone or open an app — just tap and go.
You can use a different card or device each time you ride. The MTA does not require you to register or create an account to use Omny. However, registering your payment methods at omny.info lets you see your trip history, set spending limits, and link multiple cards to one account so you can track all your rides in one place.
How much each ride costs and how the weekly cap works
A single ride on Omny costs $2.90, the same as a pay-per-ride MetroCard. Transfers between buses or between bus and subway within two hours are free — you do not pay twice for one trip.
The system automatically caps your weekly spending at $33.50, which is the cost of a weekly MetroCard. Once you have paid $33.50 in a calendar week (Monday through Sunday), all additional rides that week are free. This means if you ride frequently, you reach the cap and stop paying partway through the week. The weekly cap resets every Monday at 5:00 a.m.
There is no daily cap, so you could theoretically spend $2.90 on every ride until you hit the weekly limit. The MTA does not charge any additional fees for using Omny — the only cost is the per-ride fare.
Where to tap and how the payment readers work
Every subway station and bus has an Omny reader mounted near the turnstile or fare box. On subways, the reader is a tall white or black pedestal at the entrance to the platform. On buses, the reader is mounted on or near the fare box inside the bus door. The reader has a contactless symbol and usually displays a green light when it is working.
Tap your card or phone against the reader — you do not need to insert, swipe, or hold it there. A quick tap is enough. The reader will beep or flash green to confirm the payment went through. If the reader shows red or does not beep, try tapping again or use a different payment method.
The same reader works for both credit cards and mobile wallets. You can use whichever payment method you have with you. If you are using a mobile wallet, make sure your phone has power and that the wallet app is set up before you board.
Registering your payment methods online
You can use Omny without registering — just tap your card or phone and ride. However, registering at omny.info gives you access to your account dashboard, where you can see all your trips, check your spending, and link multiple payment methods.
To register, go to omny.info and enter your email address. You will receive a confirmation link. After confirming your email, you can add your credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallet information. The MTA uses this information only to track your rides and spending — it does not sell your data or use it for marketing.
Once registered, you can set a weekly spending limit lower than $33.50 if you want to control your budget more tightly. You can also turn off notifications or change which payment method is your primary one. If you lose a card or phone, you can remove it from your account when ready to prevent unauthorized use.
Troubleshooting common Omny problems
If the reader does not accept your card, first check that your card has the contactless symbol. If it does, try tapping again — sometimes the reader needs a second attempt. Make sure you are tapping the card flat against the reader, not at an angle. If your phone is in a thick case, the case might block the signal; try removing it and tapping again.
If you see a red light or error message, your payment method may have been declined. This can happen if your card is expired, your account is frozen, or you have reached your credit limit. Try a different card or payment method. If the problem persists, contact your bank or card issuer to confirm your account is active.
If you are registered at omny.info and notice a trip you did not make, or if you were charged twice for one ride, contact the MTA at omny.info/contact or call 511. The MTA can review your account and issue a refund if there was an error. Keep your receipt or note the time and location of the ride so you can describe it clearly.
Omny versus MetroCard: when to use each one
Omny and MetroCard cost the same per ride and offer the same weekly cap. The main difference is convenience. Omny requires no card to buy or balance to track — you just tap whatever payment method you have. MetroCard requires you to visit a booth or kiosk, buy a card, and reload it when the balance runs out.
MetroCard is still useful if you do not have a contactless card or smartphone, or if you want to buy a card for someone else as a gift. You can also use a MetroCard if you prefer not to use your personal card or phone for transit. Both systems work on the same buses and subways, so you can use whichever one suits you.
The MTA is gradually phasing out MetroCard in favor of Omny, but MetroCard will remain available for the foreseeable future. There is no important date to switch, and you can use both systems on the same trip if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create an account to use Omny?
No. You can tap your card or phone and ride without registering. Creating an account at omny.info is optional and lets you see your trip history and set spending limits, but it is not required to pay for rides.
What happens if I tap the same card twice by accident?
The reader will reject the second tap if it happens within a few seconds of the first one. If you are charged twice, contact the MTA through omny.info/contact with the time and location of the ride, and they can review your account and issue a refund if it was an error.
Can I use Omny outside New York City?
Omny works only on the MTA network in New York City. Other transit systems in other cities use different payment systems. When you travel, check what payment methods that city's transit system accepts.
Is my payment information safe when I tap my phone?
Mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay use encryption and do not share your full card number with the reader. Your actual card details stay on your phone. The MTA does not store your card information — it only processes the payment and records the trip.
What if my card is lost or stolen?
If you registered your card at omny.info, log in and remove it from your account when ready. Contact your bank or card issuer to report the card lost or stolen. If you did not register, contact your bank and they can cancel the card to prevent further charges. The MTA cannot reverse charges made before you report the card lost.