An OMNY card works the same as a contactless credit or debit card — all you have to do is tap and go. You can also use an OMNY card to take advantage of our fare capping program.

No, you do not need to "tap out" with OMNY when exiting the New York City Subway or riding an MTA bus. The NYC transit system operates on a "flat fare" model, meaning you pay a single price regardless of how far you travel. You only need to tap your contactless card or device on the OMNY reader at the turnstile or the bus entrance to pay your fare and enter the system. Because there are no distance-based "zones" in the city subway, tapping out would serve no financial purpose and would only create significant congestion at exit gates. However, you should be aware that on other regional systems that use OMNY or similar technology—like the AirTrain JFK or certain commuter rails—the rules may differ. As of 2026, the MTA has discussed "tap-to-exit" as a way to gather data or combat fare evasion, but for the standard subway and bus rider, the "tap-in" is the only requirement to ensure your fare is correctly charged and your transfers are applied.