Do buses take contactless cards?

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) introduced the OMNY system, which allows passengers to pay their bus fares using contactless payment methods, including debit cards. With OMNY, riders can simply tap their debit card on the reader to pay for their bus ride, providing a seamless and efficient experience.



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Since MetroCards are still available until the end of 2024, so until then, it may not be worth buying an OMNY card, which costs $4 more than a MetroCard. On the other hand, if you use a pay-per-ride MetroCard, you do not get to take advantage of the OMNY fare cap mentioned above.

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Tap your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or wearable device at the OMNY reader as you enter. On local, limited, and express buses, you must enter and use the reader at the front door. On SBS buses, enter at any door and use the reader there.

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Pay for transit at a fare gate Make sure your device is turned on (it doesn't need to be connected to the internet). As you approach a fare gate or board a bus, do one of the following: On an iPhone with Face ID: Double-click the side button, then glance at iPhone to authenticate with Face ID, or enter your passcode.

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The card has expired. The card is not contactless enabled (look for the logo). The card is damaged and cannot be read by the card reader.

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How it works...
  1. Ask your driver for the ticket of your choice when you board the bus.
  2. Tell the driver that you'd like to pay with contactless.
  3. Place your card or device on the card reader on the ticket machine - it's shown with a bright blue sticker.


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You'll be charged the Single fare to the end of the journey of the bus you were travelling on - so please remember to 'Tap off'!

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Missed Tap Off Cost If you don't have a default set on your card and you forget to tap off at the end of your trip, you'll be charged the fare to the last stop on the train line or bus route and with your fare type and any applicable loyalty discounts applied.

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