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The MTA rolled out its new fare payment system on Friday at more than a dozen train stations in Manhattan and Brooklyn – but new technologies are already confusing belt runners.
"It does not work. That's what he's supposed to do, "said a man trying unsuccessfully to cross a turnstile at 14th Street-Union Square by tapping his contactless credit card on the new OMNY player. .
"It will be good when the system is operational."
Other runners have tried to pair their old MetroCards with state-of-the-art readers installed in subway turnstiles, designed to be used with credit cards or phone applications.
"Can I still use that?" Asked another person as she brandished her MetroCard.
The OMNY system – for One Metro New York – is currently operating in 16 stations between Manhattan's Grand Central-42nd Street and Brooklyn's Atlantic-Avenue-Barclays Center, along lines 4, 5 and 6. It is also installed on all the Staten Island buses.
Asked about the problems that commuters encountered in the beginning with the system, MTA President Pat Foye said there would be an "education campaign" to make sure people know how to use it.
But, he added to reporters at a press conference at Bowling Green Station, "There are people, including me, who have to pass several times with the MetroCard."
Mr Foye nevertheless hailed the launch of the event as a "memorable occasion", stating that there was no choice but to modernize the MetroCard system, old of more two decades.
"The MetroCard has been serving New York for over 25 years," said Foye. "Every technology system that's more than 25 years old is starting to use it, maintenance costs are increasing every year. We did not have a choice to replace the MetroCard. "
Mr Foye said the new pricing system "would help speed up boarding on buses" and improve the subway experience for commuters "as they move through the system and make win time."
President Andy Byford, head of New York City Transit, and students at Brooklyn's High Tech Transit School were among the first to try the new system – and the kids had no trouble running it.
"It was a good experience to be the first shooter!" Said Thea Marrasti, 12th.
"It's something you can look back for the rest of your life and say," Wow, I did that. "
The system will only be available at full price and charge until the MTA equips the city's metro and bus stations with technology by 2020, officials said.
Over time, the MTA will add more fare options, including time-based passes, discounted fares, and student fares.
During the third phase of the deployment, in February 2021, the MTA will introduce an OMNY card that will be sold in companies such as CVS, Duane Reade and Rite Aid, said Al Putre, OMNY program manager for the MTA.
Meanwhile, the Metro North and Long Island Railways will also be equipped with OMNY.
By 2022, OMNY ATMs will be installed in the subway and suburban train stations, and by 2023, the MetroCard will be officially discontinued, the MTA said.
Putre added that eventually, the straphangers could buy a "virtual ticket" on an application under development.
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