NEW YORK (PIX11) — Riders are speaking up about their experiences with OMNY and a group of students is bringing concerns about the system’s student cards to the MTA and the New York City Department of Education.
The student cards are issued through schools and paid for by the city and state. Some students laminate the cards.
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“The card is made of paper, so with normal wear and tear, it starts degrading and stops working,” said Maya, a student who will be a senior this school year.
A group of classmates conducted a survey about the student OMNY program. On Wednesday, they brought the results and their requests to the steps of City Hall.
“A lot of the issues stem from the quality of the card,” Maya said.
The group collected about 700 responses. They say 88% of students surveyed reported that their cards become damaged through everyday use.
Students also say replacements can take weeks, forcing some to pay out of pocket for transportation. Student OMNY cards provide four rides each day.
“You have to wait three weeks. That’s $250,” Maya said.
The students are part of a youth council working with New York City Councilmember Harvey Epstein.
“We’re working on what to fix looks like and the timeline for that. Students, you’re starting school in a couple of weeks. Some students don’t even have them working today. We need them to come with short-term and long-term fixes to the program,” Epstein said.
For Maya and her classmates, the effort is also about giving young people a voice in operational policy.
“Government policy has a lot of impact, so there should be a way for students to voice their concerns,” she said.
The MTA acknowledges the concerns about the paper cards and says it is working with the Department of Education on improvements.
MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara has heard the concerns.
“We appreciate the feedback from student customers. The MTA plans to provide plastic sleeves to students to protect current cards, with a durable plastic version of the Student OMNY card coming in time for the 2027-2028 school year. In addition, we are piloting a program this year that will allow students to tap with their phones just like other riders are already doing today.”
The agency is working on details because not all students have phones.
Parent Khalia Hayslett describes the cards as a lifeline.
“As a mother to a high school student, having a secured, durable OMNY card lessens the stress of his travels to school and sports,” she said.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber also pointed to the benefits of the student program, which provides four rides a day and operates year-round.
“We gave them 365, seven days a week, extra rides. Kids love that and parents love that. It enables kids to do after-school and internships, and we are proud of that,” Lieber said.
Kavya, who recently graduated from high school, said she hopes the students’ efforts will lead to a permanent solution.
“Colleges and competitive programs are looking for students that are traveling outside of their community to do meaningful and impactful things,” she said.
A city spokesperson for the Department of Education sent a statement to PIX11 News.
“Making sure every student can get to and from school reliably is a top priority, and OMNY card access is part of that effort. We’re proud to be working closely with the MTA to improve the student OMNY system,” the spokesperson wrote.
Students should get the protective sleeves for their current cards this year, while a more durable Student OMNY card is expected in September 2027.
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