MTA Celebrates Lunar New Year with Lion Dancers and OMNY Card Giveaway

Photo credit: Scott Lynch for the MTA

Lion Dancers Perform at Subway and Bus Stops in Manhattan’s Chinatown

$18 Pre-Loaded OMNY Cards Distributed to Lion Dancers for Good Fortune

Subway and Buses the Best Way to Travel to All Lunar New Year Festivities

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today joined New York City’s Chinese community in celebrating the start of the Lunar New Year’s Year of the Rabbit. In celebration of the new year, the Chinatown Community Young Lions dancers performed in Manhattan’s Chinatown on Sunday, Jan. 22, including at the subway station at East Broadway and by tapping with OMNY to board an M9 bus, bringing blessings and good fortune to riders.

“The subways and buses connect people of all cultures throughout New York City,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “NYC Transit wishes everyone the happiest and healthiest new year – Gong Hey Fat Choy.”

The Chinatown Community Young Lions, a non-profit based in Chinatown, is celebrating its 50th year of teaching, sharing, and preserving Asian culture and heritage among youth in New York City. With 500 diverse members, the Young Lions also offer a range of youth programs in addition to teaching lion dancing. One New Year’s tradition is to give “lucky money” (“lai see”) to the lion. In recognition of that practice, the MTA distributed $18 OMNY cards to the lion dancers, symbolizing 18 as a lucky number in Chinese culture.

“Come to Chinatown and immerse yourself in the cultural experiences and exhilaration that is the Lunar New Year. Happy New Year to All this Year of the Rabbit, which is a year that brings Peace, Prosperity and Longevity” said Brian Tom co-founder of the Chinatown Community Young Lions.

“Lunar New Year is an extra special time to visit your local Chinatown, dine in the restaurants and shop in the markets and stores,” said Grace Young, award-winning cookbook author and 2022 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year. 

MTA Away, a helpful resource for guides and deals for travel by subway, bus, and commuter rail to all customers, is partnering with the James Beard Foundation and NYC & Company, the city’s tourism agency, to assist revelers with their Lunar New Year plans including outlining multiple events to attend using public transportation and a comprehensive food guide for the best restaurants to visit during the celebrations. Visit MTA Away for more information.

The MTA is the best way to travel throughout the metropolitan area to get to all the exciting celebrations this Lunar New Year.