Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA
Tramway First Non-MTA Operating Entity to Join Tap and Go Fare Payment System
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the Authority’s tap and go fare payment system, OMNY, has now launched on the Roosevelt Island Tramway with stations located at 59 St and 2 Av in Manhattan and Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island. The Roosevelt Island Tramway represents the first non-MTA operated entity to begin accepting taps as a fare payment.
The OMNY readers, which were activated for customer use today, will allow Roosevelt Island Tramway riders to tap and go with their smart device with a digital wallet, such as phone or watch, or contactless credit or debit card, or OMNY card, and participate in the MTA’s “best fare,” seven-day fare capping program. Customers’ first tap into the system, whether it be on the subway, bus or tram, will start a seven-day period using the same payment method on any tap and go capable transit mode. Customers are charged $2.90 for their first 11 rides, $2.10 for their 12th ride and on the 13th ride, and for each subsequent ride, the ride is free for the rest of the seven-day period. Customers will never pay more than $34 to ride in a seven-day period.
“Tap-and-go is being adopted at warp speed by subway and bus riders, and we need to give that option to everyone who uses any type of transit – both New Yorkers and tourists alike,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “It’s good news that Roosevelt Island tramway customers are now able to take advantage of the fastest, most secure way to pay their fares.”
The Roosevelt Island Tramway operates every 7-15 minutes with direct trips to and from 59th St in Manhattan and Roosevelt Island.
- Sunday through Thursday: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 6:00 a.m. – 3:30 a.m.
Customers are encouraged to utilize the Roosevelt Island Tramway for additional service options while critical track work impacts F train service to Roosevelt Island. For the duration of this track work, F trains will not stop at Roosevelt Island.
Customers have tapped into the transit system over a billion times, with the billionth tap occurring on July 26. In the latest Spring 2023 Customers Count Survey OMNY posted 79% fare payment satisfaction rate. Customers have tapped into all 472 subway stations and boarded 204 local bus routes and 31 express buses. Of the 195 countries that issue bank cards, OMNY has processed a card from every single one of them.
OMNY also supports Reduced-Fare customers who are ready to use their smart device, or contactless bank card to tap and go. Reduced-Fare customers are encouraged to seamlessly make the switch from MetroCards online with the OMNY digital assistant, which is available 24/7 at OMNY.info. Watch this how-to video for more information.
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