Opinion

Opinion Roundup: OMNY cards return for a second year of public transportation rides

Brailyn Almonte, Opinion Editor • October 1, 2025

Students reflect on their opinions about the OMNY card.

New York City students said goodbye to the traditional student MetroCard, which had been around since 1997 starting the 2024-2025 school year. The student MetroCard offered 3 free rides from 5:30AM to 8:30PM on school days only. The new student OMNY card was introduced last year, offering new perks such as four free rides, valid anytime during the day, and year-round usage including weekends and the summer. This school year, the student OMNY card shares those same perks, but has received a small appearance redesign.

As the first month of the new academic year ends, The Classic interviewed students about their opinions on the OMNY card, and any improvements they would still like to see to the card.

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“I take two buses in order to get to and from school every day. I think the idea of giving [students] two more rides would be better as sometimes students have to transfer multiple times, and it may make it tougher for [them] with just four rides. While I like the new student OMNY card, I find myself missing the previous student Metrocard, as I find the student OMNY card really flimsy. Additionally, sometimes when you tap the card it doesn’t work; the fare readers on the buses and entrance to the subways will sometimes say, ‘card not accepted.’ When I got my OMNY card […] in the beginning of 8th grade and freshman year, both cards didn’t work for a few days.”

— Freshman Ethan Greene

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“I rely heavily on public transportation to and from school, and I normally take two buses each way. The amount of rides that the student OMNY card provides has never been an issue for me, as I’m not making transfers that much. Though, I think the new tapping feature is really convenient, but I find that after only two weeks my card is bent in multiple places from consistent use. I think making it plastic like the [previous] student MetroCard would be better. Also, I wish there was a way to upload my OMNY card onto my phone. I feel like that would be way more convenient and it would make it less likely that I would lose my card because I won’t have to reach into my bag to get it and then have to put it away.”

— Sophomore Faye Simons

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“I take two trains and one bus to get to school, so I rely on public transportation. I appreciate the fact that the OMNY card has more perks, such as the fact that it allows us to use it on weekends. Though, I do believe that it should show more leniency in regards to transfers. I think we should be given two more rides. Additionally, while I think the new OMNY card may be more eco-friendly, it is very fragile. I know a lot of students who have damaged/broken their card, which is very inconvenient. The switch from the plastic material of the MetroCard to the paper OMNY card was the wrong decision. I also think mobile or online accessibility to my OMNY card would be really convenient. For me, having to reach for my wallet [from my bag] to take [my OMNY card] out and put it back in is a lot of work.”

— Senior Karma Dorje

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“I haven’t seen a lot of students complain about the amount of rides provided. I think that’s one thing [the MTA] did well with the new student OMNY card. I think the amount of rides given is adequate, especially for students who have extracurricular activities. Though, I think the improved amount of rides makes [the cards] more valuable and more people are likely to sell them or steal them. Also, I have seen a lot of students have their OMNY card easily damaged since the remodel, which causes a lot of them to need a replacement. They are not well-made. They’re very flimsy, and they often don’t work properly. I think when making the switch from student MetroCard to OMNY card, they should have kept the plastic material.”

— Antonella Cinquemani, OMNY Coordinator

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About the Contributors

Brailyn Almonte, Opinion Editor

Brailyn is a junior at Townsend Harris High School. She plans to study law in college and become an attorney one day. She also enjoys reading books, especially fantasy, romance and dystopian texts. Her favorite Classic piece that she has worked on thus far is her opinion piece on the THHS guidance department and their ability to provide various wellness opportunities to students. Her favorite Classic piece written by others is a news article that features a Townsend Harris custodian. She thinks it is sweet for the people who keep our school clean to be recognized for their hard work.

Bella Chen, Sports Photography Editor

Bella is a senior at Townsend Harris High School who hopes to pursue a career that gives her the opportunity to help people. Outside of journalism, she enjoys playing volleyball and cooking. Her favorite Classic piece she worked on is Scenes from Prom 2024, where she remembers the seniors’ happy faces and the delicious ice cream. Her favorite Classic piece made by others is an article titled “Mr. Wang Retires After Ten Years Serving as a THHS Guidance Counselor,” by Intishar Chinho. Mr. Wang was her guidance counselor and she agreed with all the kind things said about him.

Wing Yan Tan, Art Editor

Wing is a junior in Townsend Harris High School, and she plans on pursuing a career relating to art, math, and perhaps architecture. She loves painting and hanging out with friends. Her favorite Classic piece she has ever worked on is an article about the new captain crew of the Girls Fencing Team, as it was her first published individual article. Her favorite Classic piece made by others is an article about the school’s dress code from 2019. She believes it was nice that students’ voices were being heard.