New York Subway Completes Rollout of Apple Pay Support

Great news. I’ll no longer need to use a metrocard machine to load a metrocard with the credit card that’s already on Apple Pay.
 
I don't live in NY but I've seen a noticeable increase in businesses accepting Apple Pay. For example, the Publix grocery chain was bound and determined not to accept Apple Pay. Barely a month into the Pandemic restrictions, Apple Pay became happily accepted.
 
SirChristopher said:
I love it! Not having unlimited pass this past year wasn't a huge problem because of the pandemic (most people were only riding every now and then). But moving forward, as things begin to normalize, they'll need to roll that out quick.

I'm surprised to hear they're completely phasing out MetroCards though, although it makes sense. I suppose that means no more MetroCard machines, and therefore no more need to pay for one worker + one security guard to empty them periodically....and the costly maintenance of the machines will be a thing of the past.

I do wonder how they'll admit access to those without a phone or credit card to ride, although my guess is if you don't have a phone/CC you're probably turnstile jumping anyway (unfortunate reality).
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OMNY cards (and machines) are coming next year.
 
I have to wonder, how fast is this?

I don't live in NYC but have visited many times. MetroCard authentication is instant. Literally slide the card through and insantly *CLUNK* and you go through. There's no delay, and the turnstiles are designed so you can slide the card forward as you walk.

Even the typical 2-3 second delay that Apple Pay has is a lot slower than a Metrocard swipe.... so I wonder.
 
zorinlynx said:
I have to wonder, how fast is this?

I don't live in NYC but have visited many times. MetroCard authentication is instant. Literally slide the card through and insantly *CLUNK* and you go through. There's no delay, and the turnstiles are designed so you can slide the card forward as you walk.

Even the typical 3 second delay that Apple Pay has is a lot slower than a Metrocard swipe.... so I wonder.
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It’s fast. And metro card often requires more than one swipe, anyway.
 
cmaier said:
It’s fast. And metro card often requires more than one swipe, anyway.
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I guess that's true. My friends I'm visiting who are NYC locals tell me my card only works great because it's new and I only use it for a few days, while they keep using their same old card until it's worn out. I guess NFC will solve this problem!
 
Appleman3546 said:
I guess one way to greatly increase adoption is to prevent competitor software from accessing the hardware that you use ... and when an anti-trust lawsuit rules otherwise, the competitive advantage from that adoption rate is already high
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No, it’s a standard NFC reader. I COULD pull out my wallet and use my debit card (though, at that point, I might as well swipe my MetroCard). AND the MTA is supposed to release a physical card for OMNY sometime in 2022. It’s just that NFC support is necessary for Apple Pay, and that’s how MacRumors framed the headline.

(The status quo option is to use cash or a mag stripe debit/credit card at a MetroCard vending machine to get a MetroCard or refill an existing MetroCard. And that’s still what you have to do if you’re riding the Newark or JFK AirTrain systems, PATH, the Roosevelt Island Tramway, some of the privately operated city bus routes, commuter and suburban bus systems, and the MetroNorth and LIRR commuter rail systems, which all use the MetroCard system in some capacity and don’t support OMNY yet. Basically everything that’s not the Staten Island Railway, NYC Subway, or the MTA-operated buses that serve NYC proper.)
 
Benjamin Nabulsi said:
Good to know, but are you able to add the debit card to your digital wallet or pay directly at the console?
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Actually, I never tried to add it to the wallet. I added it to my NJ Transit app as a payment card and it works. I will try to add ti the Wallet
 
dontwalkhand said:
Path, AirTrain, and NICE still have no OMNY.
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As well as the small number of bus routes in Brooklyn and Staten Island that are privately operated. And the Roosevelt Island Tramway. Basically, if you live in the city proper, you can use OMNY.

Theoretically, the way things are during the pandemic, I could just go OMNY full time and get rid of my MetroCard. (I only make two or three trips in a normal week right now, down from 17 or so in the course of a normal week pre-COVID.) But I like the security of knowing that I have money on my MetroCard (or an unlimited plan) when my own wallet is a little light.
 
jayducharme said:
It will be a bigger win when the pandemic’s over and people no longer have to wear masks. Until then, it’s actually less convenient (unless you have a TouchID device).
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You can setup a dedicated card and don’t need to use biometrics - you just hold the phone to the reader and it charges automatically. I do it when I get onto the train.
 
How does it work if you want to swipe someone in who can't afford to ride the train on your way out (like if you have unlimited rides -- when they're available)?
 
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cmaier said:
Same as metro card.

And who has unlimited rides?
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I think that's how they're referenced, as unlimited, but weekly/monthly subscribers can swipe without being limited by a number of allowable rides (there are just delays between each allowable swipe)
 
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