STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A program that provides discounted transit trips to struggling New Yorkers will now permanently move to the OMNY system.
On Wednesday, Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) announced that the Fair Fares program, which offers half-priced transit fares to eligible New Yorkers, would begin using the MTA’s OMNY fare payment system.
All new Fair Fares enrollees will begin receiving OMNY cards instead of MetroCards and can utilize tap to pay when entering the transit system.
Anyone currently enrolled in the discount fare program can request an OMNY card, or wait until the next time they renew their enrollment to receive one.
Eventually, Fair Fares participants will be able to apply their discount to banks cards, mobile devices and other tap-to-pay options.
“New York City’s public transit system is the lifeblood of our city, serving New Yorkers all across the five boroughs. By bringing our world-class Fair Fares program onto the MTA’s digital OMNY system, we are making it even easier for working-class New Yorkers to access discounted rides on our trains and on our busses,” said Adams in a statement.
In January, the program was opened to any New Yorkers earning up to 145% of the federal poverty level. This made an additional 200,000 people eligible for Fair Fares.
Residents can determine their eligibility and enroll in the program by visiting www.nyc.gov/fairfares or calling 311.
Last year, OMNY replaced the traditional Student MetroCards given out each fall.
This program was also expanded so that student OMNY cards can be used round the clock.
The cards now cover four free rides a day, even on weekends, and can be used any hour of the day.
Additionally, the student OMNY cards will be valid even after the school year to help students who are working summer jobs or internships.
“There really aren’t restrictions, it’s 24-7-365,” MTA Chair Janno Lieber said at the time. “You can use it in the summer when school is out. You can use it in the middle of the night coming home from a game or other activity — it’s about flexibility.”
Previously, student MetroCards would only provide three free rides each day between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and could only be used on school days.