Mayor Adams moves fair fares to OMNY, expanding transit discounts

File Source: amNewsYork

Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park announced today the launch of the first phase in transitioning the Fair Fares program to OMNY, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) contactless fare payment system.

This move, following a successful pilot, will provide over 360,000 working-class New Yorkers with the ability to access half-priced fares through OMNY cards, which offer automatic fare capping to ensure no participant will pay more than $17 per week for subway and eligible bus rides.

Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of this transition, saying, “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 buses.” He added, “These discounts not only make our transit system more affordable and more accessible but are helping put money back into more New Yorkers’ pockets as we continue to make New York City the best place to raise a family.”

The Fair Fares program helps reduce the financial burden of public transit for low-income residents by providing a 50 percent discount on subway and bus fares. Following a recent income eligibility expansion that increased the eligibility threshold to 145 percent of the federal poverty level, nearly 200,000 more New Yorkers are now eligible for discounted fares.

“This transition will contribute significantly to our efforts to advance transit equity,” said DSS Commissioner Wasow Park. “The city’s subways, buses, and paratransit services must be affordable for all New Yorkers, and the move to OMNY, along with the income eligibility expansion, will make it easier than ever to manage transit costs and save even more with fare capping.”

During the first phase of the transition, new enrollees in the Fair Fares program will automatically receive OMNY cards, replacing the traditional MetroCard. These cards can be loaded with funds at more than 470 OMNY vending machines throughout the city or through an online account. Existing participants can request their OMNY cards via Access HRA or will receive one upon program renewal. In a future phase, participants will also be able to link their Fair Fares discount to pre-existing OMNY cards, bank cards, or mobile devices.

DSS is committed to ensuring widespread awareness of the Fair Fares program. To help more eligible New Yorkers enroll, DSS is working with community organizations, NYCHA, and the MTA, and will launch a $2 million advertising campaign to promote the program.

The Fair Fares discount is available to New Yorkers aged 18 to 64 whose income is at or below 145 percent of the federal poverty level, regardless of immigration status. Interested individuals can check their eligibility and apply online for the program, which also covers MTA Access-A-Ride paratransit services.

This initiative is part of the Adams administration’s broader efforts to make New York City more affordable for working-class families. Through programs like Fair Fares and others, including child care and rental assistance, the administration has helped put more than $30 billion back into the pockets of New Yorkers since taking office.

The transition to OMNY is expected to make the Fair Fares program more convenient and accessible, reinforcing the city’s commitment to ensuring that public transit remains affordable for all.