MTA Fare-Capping Program to Offer Unlimited Pass to OMNY Users

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently announced a fare-capping program that will begin in the spring of next year. The pilot program will offer a weekly unlimited pass for riders that utilize the OMNY tap-and-go payment system. 

The pass will benefit frequent riders, as the first 12 rides of the week will cost $2.75 and every ride after that will be free of charge for the rest of the week (Monday beginning at 12am until Sunday night before 12am). This pilot program will cap OMNY users at $33 a week. 

The weekly pass is part of the MTA’s ongoing effort to bring ridership back to pre-pandemic levels. There has been a recent increase in ridership, though the numbers is still far from the 5.5 million daily riders the MTA saw prior to the start of the pandemic. 

The program will begin on Mar. 1 and last four months, during which the MTA will monitor the pass’s effectiveness. After the four months there is the possibility of the program being made permanent, adjusted or discontinued based on how it goes over the next 4 months. 

Local government officials are seeking to make fare-capping programs such as this pilot program a permanent fixture. New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes is among this group. Gounardes introduced legislation this fall that would guarantee fare-capping systems such as this one. 

Gounardes wrote in a recent statement, “A pilot to continue the unlimited transit fare system under OMNY is a good start but it needs to be made permanent. My bill will ensure that this happens.”

For more New York City Technology news and culture, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @NYCWired.