As the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) moves to replace the MetroCard with the new OMNY (One Metro New York) fare system, seniors and disabled riders are adjusting to the change. At a recent MTA outreach event, Pat and Chick Schissel, an elderly couple, experienced difficulties transferring their MetroCard balances to OMNY cards, according to Gothamist. The Schissels, along with approximately 1.5 million others in the MTA's discount program, are encountering challenges related to mobility and technology as the agency prepares to retire the MetroCard by January 1.
Concerns are not limited to older adults. Beth Childs, an 86-year-old resident of Midtown, has expressed worries about potential security risks when linking a card to her bank or credit account. “I don't want a card linked to my checking account or linked to my credit card that can possibly be lost or stolen and my account drained,” Childs told Gothamist. Advocacy groups have also noted that the new tap-to-pay options may be difficult for some disabled individuals who previously relied on paper vouchers for their Access-A-Ride trips.
The MTA has hosted multiple events to help New Yorkers transfer their MetroCard balances to OMNY cards. A New York Post article states that these in-person services are important because there is no option to transfer funds digitally. The MTA advises that balances be transferred before the MetroCard expires, though they remain eligible for transfer or reimbursement for up to two years after the date printed on the card.
MTA spokesperson Michael Cortez highlighted that 94% of reduced-fare trips are already paid using OMNY, noting that it provides more access, flexibility, and options for managing fares than the MetroCard. However, a significant number of users have not yet made the switch. OMNY cards are available at subway station vending machines, select retail stores, and can be reloaded online through a registered account. The New York Post and other sources have provided the full schedule for balance transfers, giving users the information needed to transition before the MetroCard is retired.
The transition to OMNY represents a technological change for the MTA, but some features of the MetroCard system continue to offer familiarity and convenience for certain riders, particularly older adults and individuals with disabilities. As the transition progresses, the transit authority faces the challenge of implementing the new system while ensuring that all riders can access and use it effectively.
