Washington Heights residents can now take advantage of expanded MTA services at the 168th Street subway station (A/C/1), where the first 400 customers who transfer their MetroCard balances to OMNY will receive a free OMNY card.
The offer is part of the MTA’s ongoing transition to OMNY tap-and-ride technology, which is replacing the MetroCard system. Customer Service Centers at select stations now provide services that were previously only available at the MTA’s Lower Manhattan headquarters.
Manhattan locations with OMNY cards available
- 168th Street (A/C/1) — Washington Heights
- 96th Street (1/2/3)
- 59th Street–Columbus Circle (A/B/C/D/1)
- 14th Street–Union Square (4/5/6, N/Q/R/W, L)
Mobile Sales vehicles visit Washington Heights
Can’t make it to a Customer Service Center? MTA Mobile Sales Vehicles regularly visit Washington Heights neighborhoods to help riders transition to OMNY. Recent stops have included:
- 168th Street & Broadway (Broadway & Amsterdam Ave)
- 181st Street & Broadway (Broadway & Audubon Ave)
- 155th Street & Amsterdam Ave
Mobile Sales Vehicles can help you transfer your MetroCard balance, purchase or reload OMNY cards, and apply for Reduced-Fare programs. Schedules are subject to change — call 511 before visiting or check the MTA Mobile Sales schedule for current times and locations.
What the centers offer
- OMNY transition assistance — help switching from MetroCard to tap-and-ride
- Reduced-Fare support — for seniors and people with disabilities switching to OMNY, plus first-time applications
- Fair Fares enrollment — help signing up for the city’s low-income transit discount program
- Wayfinding and complaints — help navigating the system and submitting feedback
Discount programs
New Yorkers 65 or older, or with a qualifying disability, are eligible for half-price fares and can apply in person at the 168th Street Customer Service Center, receiving a Reduced-Fare OMNY card the same day. Learn more at mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus/reduced-fare. New Yorkers ages 18–64 with income at or below 145% of the federal poverty level (about $22,000/year for individuals) may qualify for 50% off subway and bus fares through Fair Fares NYC, now fully available on OMNY with a $17 weekly fare cap. Apply at ACCESS NYC.
For more information about OMNY, visit omny.info or call OMNY Customer Service at 877-789-6669 (daily, 6 AM–10 PM).