New York City students are demanding a comprehensive overhaul of the student OMNY card program. They argue that the current cards are too fragile and frequently malfunction, leading to unexpected costs and potentially fostering confrontations with police when they are compelled to avoid paying fares.
“These cards simply don’t last an entire year. This is my sixth one already,” stated Vinny Dong, a sophomore at Queens High School for the Sciences. “Rain? Useless! Snow? Useless! Shove it too hard into your phone? Useless!”
Dong was among more than a dozen parents and students who voiced strong criticism regarding the student OMNY cards during a Panel for Education Policy meeting held Thursday evening.
The complimentary student OMNY cards were introduced in fall 2024, significantly expanding free transportation access for hundreds of thousands of students. Since their debut, students residing over a half-mile from school and not utilizing a yellow bus have been eligible for a free OMNY card that covers four subway or bus rides daily.
Many attendees at the Thursday meeting suggested that the student cards, currently made from a flexible material reminiscent of MetroCards, should be identical to the more durable, credit card-like OMNY cards sold in subway vending machines. Dong was also among several speakers who advocated for universal access to these cards, proposing an end to the current eligibility restrictions that apply to students living over a half-mile from school and exclude those who ride the city’s yellow buses.
The Panel for Education Policy, which is responsible for approving education department contracts, passed a resolution calling for universal student OMNY card access, unlimited rides, enhanced material durability, and faster replacement services.
Some students and parents expressed concerns that malfunctioning cards and delays in their replacement contribute to fare evasion.
“ Missing school isn’t a viable option, so some students may resort to jumping turnstiles or entering through emergency doors just to ensure they arrive at class punctually,” explained Isaiah Tandjung, a senior at Francis Lewis High School.
Student OMNY rides are valid around the clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year, marking a considerable improvement from the now-discontinued student MetroCards. The former student MetroCards permitted only three daily rides between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and only on school days.
However, students have been reporting persistent issues with damaged or non-functional cards, which, despite being thicker than a MetroCard, can still degrade and fail when wet or bent. They also noted that replacing lost or damaged cards can take several weeks, or even months.
MTA officials indicated last spring that they were exploring a more resilient material for the student cards, as well as a pilot program allowing them to be uploaded to smartphones. Nevertheless, the pilot, originally slated for launch in the fall, has not yet commenced.
MTA spokesperson Kayla Shults confirmed that the agency is collaborating with the education department to develop a digital pass for students.
Recently, outside the Spring Street station in SoHo, several students from Chelsea Career and Technical Education High School lamented the difficulties they have experienced with the student OMNY card.
“ Literally this morning I was attempting to get on to my train and I was trying to use my OMNY but it just kept saying, tap again, tap again, tap again, card not accepted, card not accepted, card not accepted,” recounted Anthony Reid, a sophomore at the school. After numerous tries, he said the card finally registered. “So it’s just a continuous struggle between it operating and not operating. And its fluctuation is honestly too much for my peace of mind.”
He added that the fare increase to $3 has only exacerbated the situation.
His classmate, Justin Nicholson, shared that he pays the fare out-of-pocket when his OMNY card fails, but he knows many other teenagers who instead choose to bypass the turnstile.
“In a metropolis that never ceases movement, it’s always such an inconvenience when you are unable to access your transportation to reach your destination,” Nicholson remarked.
The transit advocacy group Transportation Alternatives has also been campaigning for enhancements to the student OMNY cards.
“Hundreds of thousands of students are completely excluded, while others are compelled to navigate a system with strict ride limitations, unreliable card replacements, and sudden deactivations that can leave them stranded for weeks,” stated Lauren Newman, the group’s youth and schools organizer. “This often translates to paying out of pocket, missing school or work, or risking a ticket simply to reach their required location.”