METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

New York MTA Launches Contactless Payment System on Hudson Rail Link

As with New York City Transit’s subways and buses, OMNY will allow Hudson Rail Link users to participate in the MTA’s seven-day fare capping program.

New York MTA Launches Contactless Payment System on Hudson Rail Link

Hudson Rail Link users will now be able to join riders of the other services to tap and go with their smart device with a digital wallet, such as a phone or watch, contactless credit or debit card, or OMNY card. 

Photo: OMNY

2 min to read


The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the authority’s contactless payment system, OMNY, has expanded to the Hudson Rail Link, Metro-North Railroad’s connecting bus service in the Riverdale and Spuyten Duyvil sections of the Bronx. 

OMNY, the fare payment system for New York City Transit, expanded to AirTrain JFK and the Roosevelt Island Tram last year. 

Ad Loading...

Hudson Rail Link users will now be able to join riders of the other services to tap and go with their smart device with a digital wallet, such as a phone or watch, contactless credit or debit card, or OMNY card. 

As with New York City Transit’s subways and buses, OMNY will allow Hudson Rail Link users to participate in the MTA’s seven-day fare capping program. Customers’ first tap into the system will start a seven-day period in which customers will never pay more than $34, the cost of a weekly unlimited MetroCard. Customers will be charged $2.90 for their first 11 rides, and $2.10 for their 12th ride. The 13th and all subsequent rides are free for the rest of the seven days.  

“Riders in Riverdale and Spuyten Duyvil have been asking for OMNY on the Hudson Rail Link and today we’ve answered that call with the full rollout of the contactless payment system on this Bronx transit service,” said MTA Chair/CEO Janno Lieber.“Contactless fare payment remains the fastest way for subway, bus, and now Hudson Rail Link customers to pay their fares and move around the City and throughout the region.” Customers in Riverdale and Spuyten Duyvil depend on the Hudson Rail Link to access the Metro North Railroad car-free," said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. "Integrating this system into OMNY means faster passenger boarding and quicker commutes and moves the MTA towards a full rollout of contactless payments throughout our system." 

New York MTA Shares OMNY Data

Transit customers have used OMNY to tap into the transit system more than a billion times, with the billionth tap occurring on July 26, 2023. 

In the latest Spring 2023 Customers Count Survey, OMNY posted a 79% fare payment satisfaction rate. Customers have tapped into all 472 subway stations and boarded 204 local bus routes and 31 express buses. 

Ad Loading...

Of the 195 countries that issue bank cards, OMNY has processed a card from every single one of them. On Saturday, December 9, 2023, the New York City subway recorded 2,918,691 paid rides, the highest number of weekend rides since the pandemic – 58.5% of all rides were OMNY tap-and-go customers, a single-day record. 

OMNY's market share of full-fare subway rides continues to be at 70% since the MTA updated its fare capping schedule on Aug. 20.

More New Mobility

Officials and community leaders cut a ribbon in front of a Pace On Demand shuttle bus outside Rolling Meadows City Hall to celebrate expanded on-demand transit service in northwest Cook County.
New Mobilityby News/Media ReleaseMarch 9, 2026

Chicago Pace Expand On-Demand Transportation Program

The expanded service builds on Pace’s growing On Demand network and is intended to improve access to destinations such as medical appointments, schools, shopping, employment centers and connections to the regional transit system.

Read More →
A vehicle that will be used for MARTA's Reach mobility program.
New Mobilityby StaffMarch 2, 2026

Atlanta's MARTA Set to Launch New On-Demand Transportation Service

An important part of the authority’s NextGen Bus Network, MARTA Reach will bring transit service directly to the rider’s location and offer a seamless link to the broader rail and bus system.

Read More →
A black and blue HOLON urban autonomous vehicle on a city street.
New Mobilityby Elora HaynesFebruary 26, 2026

CharterUP Moves to Scale Autonomous Shuttle Deployments Through HOLON Partnership

The partnership aims to accelerate the rollout of electric, high-capacity autonomous shuttles for campuses, airports, transit systems, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Portrait of Joshua Schank, Ph.D., alongside the ACES Mobility Coalition logo.
Managementby StaffFebruary 16, 2026

ACES Mobility Coalition Selects Joshua Schank as New Executive Director

Veteran transportation innovator to lead coalition as it pushes nationwide expansion of shared autonomous mobility.

Read More →
David Carol, Baker Alloush, and Jesse Lazarus from METRO's People Movement February 4 edition.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsFebruary 4, 2026

New Rolling Stock Strategy Lead at New York MTA and More in People Movement

In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, NCTD, STV, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
New Mobilityby StaffJanuary 30, 2026

Chicago's Pace Expands VanGo Mobility Program

The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredJanuary 22, 2026

5 Costly Myths About Paratransit Vehicles

What agencies often overlook when selecting vehicles.

Read More →
Busby StaffJanuary 22, 2026

Biz Briefs: BART, Uber Launch Partnership and More

Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

Fleet Software ROI: Boost Uptime & Safety

Transit agencies depend on safe, reliable vehicles to deliver consistent service. This eBook examines how next-generation fleet software helps agencies move from reactive processes to proactive operations through automated maintenance, real-time safety insights, and integrated data. Learn how fleets are improving uptime, safety outcomes, and operational efficiency.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Transit signal priority and public transit agencies.
New Mobilityby Alex RomanJanuary 16, 2026

How AI is Redefining Transit Operations and Signal Priority

In a recent episode of METROspectives, LYT CEO Timothy Menard discusses how artificial intelligence, cloud connectivity, and real-time data are transforming traffic management, boosting bus reliability, and enabling system-wide transit optimization across cities.

Read More →