Everything you need to know about getting and refilling an OMNY card

NEW YORK (PIX11) — There is another way to pay for subways and buses other than a MetroCard.

There’s OMNY , the contactless fare payment system for New Yorkers. OMNY launched in New York City in 2019.

“OMNY will eventually combine fare payments and ticketing across subways, buses, paratransit, and commuter rail. And yes, the MetroCard will eventually be phased out. So, let’s get you tapping,” the OMNY website states.

How does OMNY work:

New Yorkers with a debit or credit card with a chip, also known as a chip card, can tap it on the card reader to ride their mode of transportation.

Transit riders can also use a digital wallet on their smartphone and/or smartwatch. If you need help setting up a digital wallet on your smart device, click here .

No smart device or chip card, no problem:

If riders want to avoid using their device or personal card, there is a refillable OMNY card option.

How to get an OMNY card:

Visit a participating retail location that sells the OMNY card, pay for your OMNY card, and start tapping and riding. Retail locations include CVS and Walgreens. For a list of other participating retailers, click here .

There are also OMNY vending machines.

“Installing OMNY vending machines in subway stations makes it easier than ever for transit customers to leave MetroCard in the past and embrace the convenience of tapping, especially those who pay with cash to ride,” said former NYC Transit President Richard Davey. “Our station agents are trained and ready to support customers who make the switch to OMNY so they can start tapping.”

The installation of OMNY vending machines at all 472 subway stations is ongoing, but a map of all current locations can be found here .

How to refill an OMNY card:

Transit riders can reload their OMNY card online through a portal. Cardholders create an OMNY account and then link their payment information. For more information, click here .

PIX11 News asked the MTA when the MetroCard would be officially phased out, but the agency did not immediately respond to the request for comment.

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here .

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