The Brian Lehrer Show OMNY's Rocky Rollout Continues
Jul 15, 2025
Stephen Nessen, a transportation reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, dives into the troubles surrounding the MTA's OMNY card system. Users are frustrated with erroneous charges and limited visibility of balances, especially seniors. The discussion highlights the impending end of the beloved MetroCard and the challenges that come with transitioning to OMNY. Nessen sheds light on ongoing efforts to improve the system, aiming to regain commuter trust amidst significant dissatisfaction.
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Multiple Charges Corrected by MTA
- Multiple charges appeared on riders' phones but were corrected by the MTA after a few days.
- Ultimately, no one was overcharged, demonstrating the system's backend can rectify such errors.
Senior's Frustrations Using Omni
- Jan, a senior, shared frustrations using Omni with a flip phone and lacking trip history visibility.
- She still must refill her card at a machine despite having a credit card linked online, showing design shortcomings.
AirTrain Fare Top-Up Issues
- Rita experienced issues at AirTrain where insufficient fare couldn't be easily added before the subway turnstile.
- She praised Omni but urged more machines and better logistics for fare top-ups at transfer points.