Spanish
New York.- The One Metro New York (OMNY) system, which will gradually replace the MetroCard, is already in effect and hundreds of users have expressed their frustration with the use of this new method that marks the jump from plastic to digital for subway users in New York City.
El Diario de New York, ha citado varios testimonios de ciudadanos que se quejan de la falta de planes mensuales ilimitados, como tenían con la MetroCard. En su lugar ahora cuentan con viajes semanales gratis después de que el usuario gasta más de $34 dólares en 12 trayectos.
“I threw away my MetroCard and tried to use this new payment method for the first time three weeks ago, but it was a total fiasco. I started on a Tuesday to swipe my card every time I moved on the train and when I saw my bank balance, I saw that between Tuesday and the following Monday I had been debited 24 trips, not 12, despite having used the same card. They didn't give me unlimited trips,” said, very annoyed, the young Colombian identified as Hernán Domínguez, who claims he needs to use more than 25 trips per week.
Dominican Marbelia González recounted a similar experience and revealed that even agents of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), who offer assistance to customers, are not providing clear information to passengers.
“I bought the $34 OMNY card and after three days it stopped working, and when I asked at one of the OMNY booths in Fulton station, they told me the problem was because I had used it more than twice a day and that in those cases it wasn't unlimited and that the only option was to buy another one and not use it for more than two trips in 24 hours or otherwise I would have to pay for each ride,” commented the user.
Several stations have already removed the MetroCard vending machines. In their place was a gap with several yellow tapes.
For her part, Joana Flores, MTA spokesperson, regretted the bad experiences of some users shared by El Diario NY, and assured that the Transit Authority is committed to ensuring that before December 31 of this year, when there will no longer be MetroCard vending machines in any subway station, all New Yorkers are well informed about the payment method through OMNY.
The official stated that as a reminder, customers do not need to use a physical OMNY card but can use a credit or debit card that works with the contactless payment system, and urged those who have experienced inconveniences to file their complaints with the MTA's 511 line.
Despite complaints from some users, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority assures that the vast majority of subway and bus passengers have adapted well to the new payment method.
About OMNY
OMNY is a digital reader that allows users to pay for trips on public transport in NY.
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OMNY readers are now present in all New York City subway stations. With OMNY, the user pays without contact, instead of inserting a card into a slot (as with the MetroCard), they only have to bring their mobile phone or a credit or debit card contactless to the screen and the trip is charged automatically.
There is a transportation card called OMNY Card for those travelers who do not have contactless cards, electronic wallets or who simply prefer to pay in cash.
The first day of use of your OMNY card will mark the start day of the week, regardless of whether it is the first calendar day of a week.
The MetroCard will stop being sold on December 31, 2025, and, in the near future, all trips will have to be paid with OMNY.
