MTA Working to Bring Balance, Transfer Information to OMNY Readers

The MTA says it is working on a long-requested improvement to the OMNY fare payment system that would allow riders to see their card balance, transfer status, and other fare information directly when tapping into the subway or bus.

MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber announced this week that the agency is developing new software that would restore some of the convenience riders had with MetroCards, where remaining balances and transfer eligibility were displayed immediately after each swipe.

Since the transition to OMNY, passengers have had to create an online account and link their payment method or OMNY card to view balances, trip history, and fare information, a process many riders say is inconvenient for everyday use.

Lieber acknowledged the concerns and said the MTA is actively working to add those features, though officials have not provided a timeline for when they will become available.

The agency says the upgrade is more complicated than the old MetroCard system because OMNY accepts multiple payment methods—including bank cards, smartphones, and OMNY cards—rather than relying on a single transit card.