The NYC Department of Education, in partnership with the MTA, launched the Student OMNY Card program in Fall 2024. This program provides eligible students with tap-to-go passes for subway and city buses. Student OMNY Cards can be used to ride on MTA subways, MTA buses (local, limited, and Select), Staten Island Railways, the Roosevelt Tram, and the Hudson Rail Link.
Each Student OMNY Card provides students with four free rides daily, usable at any time and on any day—including weekends, holidays, and throughout summer break. The cards remain valid for the entire school year and include transfer benefits between subway and bus services.
MEA members with school-age children can benefit from understanding this program, as it offers significantly more flexibility than the previous MetroCard system. Cards are distributed exclusively through schools and not directly from the MTA.
Several news outlets have reported incidents of students attempting to sell their OMNY cards on social media platforms and online marketplaces. City officials and the MTA have emphasized that these cards are non-transferable and intended only for the assigned student. The MTA has stated that any cards subject to unauthorized use will be deactivated.
If your child was eligible but did not receive their Student OMNY Card when they were distributed in September 2024, or if you have questions about the program, please contact your child’s school directly.
To learn if your child qualifies for a Student OMNY Card, you can check the eligibility requirements here.
For more detailed information about the program, visit their program website here.
