MTA Eyeing 'Fare Capping' To Turn Single Rides To Unlimited Pass

NEW YORK CITY — The MetroCard-less OMNY system is now a fixture at all MTA stations, but its tap-and-pay convenience comes with a drawback: it only allows single rides.

But that could change next year as MTA explores a pilot program allowing OMNY users to automatically change from single to unlimited rides once they pay enough, said Janno Lieber, acting chairperson for the transit agency Wednesday.

"This is called fare tapping and it's one way of... taking advantage of OMNY, which we are going to do," he said at a news conference.

OMNY is poised to replace MetroCards in 2023. Its readers allow riders to pay by smartphone, smartwatch, credit or debit card tap or the new OMNY card.

But so far OMNY, while eliminating swipes, still doesn't allow the $37 weeklong and $127 monthlong MetroCards with unlimited rides that many commuters favor.

Sarah Meyer, MTA's chief customer officer, said the fare capping program will need to be approved by the agency's board.

MTA isn't giving up on MetroCards just yet.

Lieber spoke about fare capping during an event highlighting a bulk purchase of 10,000 MetroCards by Robin Hood.

The bulk sales program will help employers and philanthropic groups to provide workers and New Yorkers in need with free MetroCards.

“We know bringing employees back to work is a big lift, and any incentive we can offer to ease that transition is a good thing,” Lieber said in a statement. “Right now, MTA staff are looking at a range of fare strategies to give riders – especially low income New Yorkers -- a better deal. We’re thrilled to be working with a leading non-profit organization like Robin Hood to distribute free MetroCards and hope many employers will step forward and do the same for their workers.”