MTA launches OMNY on Roosevelt Island Tramway

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has launched its fare payment system, OMNY, on the Roosevelt Island Tramway, with stations located at 59 St. and 2 Ave. in Manhattan and Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island. The Roosevelt Island Tramway represents the first non-MTA operated entity to begin accepting taps as a fare payment.

The OMNY readers will allow Roosevelt Island Tramway riders to tap and go with their smart device with a digital wallet, such as phone or watch, a contactless credit or debit card or OMNY card and participate in the MTA's “best fare,” seven-day fare capping program. Customers’ first tap into the system, whether it be on the subway, bus or tram, will start a seven-day period using the same payment method on any tap and go capable transit mode. Customers are charged $2.90 for their first 11 rides, $2.10 for their 12th ride and on the 13th ride and, for each subsequent ride, the ride is free for the rest of the seven-day period. Customers will never pay more than $34 to ride in a seven-day period

“Tap-and-go is being adopted at warp speed by subway and bus riders, and we need to give that option to everyone who uses any type of transit – both New Yorkers and tourists alike,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “It’s good news that Roosevelt Island tramway customers are now able to take advantage of the fastest, most secure way to pay their fares.”

“Bringing OMNY to the Roosevelt Island Tram has been an important initiative that we’ve worked on for some time,” said Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation President and CEO Shelton J. Haynes. “More and more island travelers are turning to OMNY for their everyday transit use, and as the world becomes increasingly digital, it’s important for our infrastructure to keep pace with those changing trends. I want to thank MTA Chair Lieber and his team for their close collaboration throughout this process and our elected officials who advocated so passionately for bringing OMNY here to Roosevelt Island. Finally, I want to offer a huge thank you to the RIOC Legal Team, led by Gretchen Robinson, for their tireless work in bringing this initiative to fruition.”

The Roosevelt Island Tramway operates every seven to 15 minutes, with direct trips to and from 59th St. in Manhattan and Roosevelt Island:

• Sunday through Thursday: 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 6 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.

Customers have tapped into the transit system over a billion times, with the billionth tap occurring on July 26. In the latest Spring 2023 Customers Count Survey, OMNY posted 79 percent fare payment satisfaction rate. Customers have tapped into all 472 subway stations and boarded 204 local bus routes and 31 express buses. OMNY has processed a card from all 195 countries that issue bank cards.

OMNY also supports Reduced-Fare customers who are ready to use their smart device or contactless bank card to tap and go. Reduced-Fare customers are encouraged to seamlessly make the switch from MetroCards online with the OMNY digital assistant.

“Countless subway and bus customers have experienced the convenience of tap-and-go and I’m excited that Roosevelt Island Tram riders who live on the island and those visiting will now be able to use OMNY for better transfers onto the subway and buses to get to their destination faster,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “Tram customers can now trust they will never miss their tram because, like subway and bus customers, they can simply tap to ride.”