Staff Reporter
OMNY Users Shocked by Mysterious Fare Charges Amid System Glitch
In a puzzling turn of events, several New Yorkers who used the OMNY tap-and-go system this week were left stunned after discovering unexpected charges on their bank cards — some for trips they say never happened. As confusion spread, the MTA admitted the issue may be linked to a recent software update, ahead of the MetroCard phase-out. While officials assure that overcharging will not occur, frustrated riders continue to share stories of multiple charges for a single ride, raising fresh concerns about OMNY’s reliability.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
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OMNY users report duplicate or inflated charges on bank statements
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MTA blames the issue on a software update tied to the MetroCard phase-out
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Delayed transactions appear as multiple-day billing in a single batch
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MTA claims issue has been largely resolved by May 29
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Previous OMNY failures raise concerns over system reliability
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Full transition from MetroCard now expected to extend into 2026
For thousands of New York City commuters relying on the tap-and-go convenience of OMNY, this week brought an unpleasant surprise. Instead of the usual quick swipe and standard fare, many discovered unexpected — and in some cases, seemingly inflated — charges on their bank statements. Some even found transactions for subway or bus rides they insist they never took.
What started as scattered complaints quickly turned into a broader concern. From social media forums to local newsrooms, reports began surfacing of riders being charged multiple times for the same journey, or billed in bulk for days they hadn’t even traveled. Frustration mounted as riders sought clarity, only to find few concrete answers.
An attempt by a reporter to reach OMNY’s customer service line was met with a telling pre-recorded message: “You may have experienced delayed processing of tap-and-go charges to your bank card. You may also see charge amounts that reflect multiple trips or multiple days of travel. Please rest assured that you are not being overcharged.” Yet, the promise of reassurance offered little comfort to users already seeing the effects on their bank accounts — and facing long wait times with no live response.
According to a statement from the MTA, the problem may stem from a recent system update aimed at improving OMNY’s backend functionality as the city prepares for the final phase-out of MetroCards. Jessie Lazarus, deputy chief for commercial ventures at the MTA, said the glitch was first observed around May 15 and has been “largely resolved” by May 29. However, riders still experiencing discrepancies were encouraged to contact their card issuer or OMNY support — though many reported hitting dead ends there, too.
The MTA has now placed a notice prominently on its website acknowledging the confusion. “If you use a Visa card for tap-and-go payments,” the message reads, “you may have seen multiple authorization attempts on your card today. Please know you will be charged only for the correct number of trips.” Still, for those staring at unexpected charges and worrying about their financial records, the statement offers little immediate relief.
This latest mishap is not entirely out of character for OMNY, which has faced a rocky rollout over the past few years. Just last summer, a separate software glitch locked users out of the system entirely, preventing them from boarding buses or subways using the contactless method. In that case, the MTA issued refunds, but not before a flood of complaints and coverage from transit watchdogs and affected riders.
Adding to the challenge, OMNY fare readers themselves have come under fire — quite literally in some cases — for falling off MTA buses due to faulty installations. These persistent technical issues have complicated the MTA’s plan to retire the decades-old MetroCard system, which was initially slated for sunset in 2024 but now looks set to linger through 2026.
As the MTA pushes toward a digital future, the recent wave of overcharge concerns underscores just how bumpy that transition may still be. For now, many New Yorkers remain watchful, not only of their MetroCard balance — but also of their bank accounts.
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