Some riders claim MTA's OMNY system is overcharging. Here's why the agency says not to worry.

Some New York City subway riders allege the MTA's tap and go system, OMNY, is charging them for rides they didn't take.
As the MTA pushes back on those claims, here are some ways riders can be sure to protect their fare.
"It's one charge after another"
Most New Yorkers don't track every trip. But some claim they do and say they're being taken for a ride.
One TikTok video about OMNY's tap and go payment issues has been viewed 28,000 times, and Reddit is flooded with similar complaints.
"I think I am being charged for rides I didn't take," said rider Nikki Krat, adding, "It's one charge after another, and I haven't taken the train in days."
Another rider said she received back-to-back charges and returned to the MetroCard, instead of tapping. But with the classic cards being phased out, soon OMNY will be the only option.
MTA says riders are not being overcharged
Last month, concerns about the billing issues became so widespread, the MTA wrote online, "Rest assured you're not being overcharged." Due to a software update, it says there is just a delay between the tap and the charge.
"The way the system is supposed to work is that people are charged immediately," explained Lucas Gutterman, a consumer advocate with Public Interest Research Group.
In 2023, riders could check the location of their swipes online. But then, for security reasons, the MTA disabled the "trip history" feature.
Two years later, the agency says it's still evaluating new tools to serve customers, and to call customer service for account questions.
"I was on hold for about an hour and then, almost instantly after someone picked up, the call was dropped," said rider James Crowley.
What to watch out for
Until the issues are fixed, Gutterman says riders should track their trips and dispute if they feel they've been overcharged.
"The number of trips you took should match the number of times you were charged," he said. "If those numbers don't match, then you have a problem."
CBS News New York reached out to the MTA about the issues. The agency said no one is getting overcharged, but it understands the concerns of customers who have experienced processing delays. It's also working to increase hours and staffing at the call center.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Travel + Leisure

2 hours ago

• Travel + Leisure

As a Floridian, I've Tested Dozens of Sandals—and I'm Packing This Supportive Platform Style on Every Trip

As a Floridian, I live in sandals almost year-round. When it gets really hot outside, the last thing I want to put on my feet are socks and sneakers. You might think that sandals are too flimsy and unsupportive to wear for all-day walking, but I've found they can be just as supportive as sneakers, while doubling as a stylish yet comfortable swap for heels for an evening out. If you're traveling carry-on only, packing versatile sandals is a huge pro for saving serious luggage space. Comfortable walking sandals do exist, and no, they don't all look like clunky podiatrist-prescribed orthopedic shoes. As a former cruise ship performer and current travel writer, I've tested dozens of sandals in my lifetime—and I own more than 30 pairs at this moment. When I test a new pair of sandals, I'm comparing them against years of personal trial, so I was surprised at how well the Kuru Loma Sandals performed, given the stiff competition they were up against. I wore the Kuru sandals exploring all 66 acres of Sarasota's John & Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, including the Ca' d'Zan mansion, the Circus Museum, and Bayfront Gardens. It's a lot of walking, and the Lomas delivered. The campus is so big you really need several days to explore it, but if you want to try and see it all in a day, it can be done with the right comfy footwear. I was initially hesitant about investing in a platform shoe because I typically prefer my sandals to be thin, lightweight, and packable to save space and weight in my carry-on. However, the platform sole is made out of lightweight, foam-like material that is virtually weightless. Another crucial aspect I noticed about the Kuru Lomas is the way they hugged my heels each time I took a step. The cork footbed cups your heel pad, while the platform material flexes to absorb impact. Our heels are the first thing to strike the ground when we walk, and they take the brunt of the impact of the stride, which is why the cushioning on these sandals is so important to absorb some of that impact. I also loved the impressive arch support in these shoes. I have the kinds of arches that don't touch the ground when I stand, so I need a high level of arch support from my shoes and sandals. Luckily, the same design that cups my heel when I walk in these Kuru platform sandals also cradles my arches and makes them supportive enough for all-day wear. The adjustable straps and flexible design add to the comfort of these shoes because I can get the perfect fit without the shoe being too tight or loose. And, the elastic cross strap on the Lomas is perfect because it wraps my foot and gives it the flexibility to move without a rubbing effect that could cause blisters. Finally, the Loma cork footbed wicks away moisture, which adds to the shoe's overall comfort by preventing wet, sweaty feet (that can lead to blisters). Since roaming the Ringling Museum, I've worn these shoes a lot more on daily walks and uneven terrain. They're still one of the most comfortable pairs of sandals I own. That said, the Velcro strap is starting to wear with heavy use, so I'd love to see a buckle option for durability. As an avid sandal wearer with above-average standards for arch support and long-wear comfort, I can say that the Kuru Lomas are worth buying. I recommend them if you're headed somewhere hot where you'll be on your feet all day. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Yahoo

2 hours ago

• Yahoo

Blue Origin preps for next crewed rocket launch: What time and where to see liftoff in Texas

Blue Origin is preparing to send its next group of passengers on a brief spaceflight high above Earth. Reaching the very edge of space, the six people on board the company's New Shepard spacecraft will be treated to some stellar views and a few minutes of weightlessness after getting off the ground in West Texas. When they land, the space tourists will join an exclusive club of more than 60 others who have embarked on a similar expensive venture across 12 previous human spaceflights Blue Origin has provided. As for the rest of us? Well, we'll have to watch them have their fun from solid ground. Blue Origin, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, doesn't sell tickets for the public to watch a rocket launch in person. But areas around the launch site, including a town just south of it, may provide a few ideal places to catch the liftoff and spaceflight. Here's everything to know about Blue Origin's next human spaceflight and how to potentially see it in person. Billionaire Jeff Bezos, best known for founding Amazon, is the founder of the private space technology company Blue Origin. Bezos himself even boarded Blue Origin's New Shepard for its maiden crewed voyage in July 2021, which came after the spacecraft flew on 15 flight tests beginning in 2012. For nearly four years since its first crewed mission, the New Shepard spacecraft has served as a powerful symbol of Blue Origin's commercial spaceflight ambitions amid a growing space tourism industry. In addition to sending space tourists on brief joy rides to the edge of space, Blue Origin has also increasingly sought to compete with Elon Musk's SpaceX. Blue Origin's massive New Glenn rocket, which flew on its inaugural flight test in January 2025 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is also being developed for future spaceflights. At 320 feet tall, the spacecraft rivals SpaceX's 400-foot Starship in size. Blue Origin's next crewed launch, known as NS-33, could get off the ground as early as 8:30 a.m. CT Saturday, June 21, the company announced. Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launches take place from the company's private ranch facility known as Launch Site One. The facility is located more than 140 miles east of El Paso near the U.S.-Mexico border. Blue Origin does not provide any public viewing areas for launches at or near its facility, which is located in a remote desert. Spectators, though, have been known to pull over on U.S. Route 54 to gather on spots to the side of the highway that offer good views of New Shepard getting off the ground. Van Horn, the nearest town, is located about 30 miles south of Launch Site One in Culberson County, Texas. While the town is too far away to see the launch pad itself, it is likely the best place to see a New Shepard rocket soar into the sky. The town's visitors bureau advertises Blue Origin on its homepage and its brochure as an attraction, but does not list any suggested public viewing locations for launches. However, here is a list of public places in and around Van Horn – some listed as attractions on the visitors' bureau website – where spectators might be able to see a rocket taking off: Van Horn city park, 3rd and Austin Streets Okey D. Lucas Memorial Park, 1804 W. Broadway St., Van Horn Guadalupe Mountains National Park, located about 60 miles north of Van Horn in Dell City and 40 miles north of the launch site, the park bordering New Mexico has the highest point in Texas. Scenic overlook: a pull-off spot located off the westbound lane of Interstate 10 about four miles west of Van Horn that provides an elevated view over U.S. Route 54. Here's a look at the passengers on the next Blue Origin New Shepard spaceflight, known as NS-33: Allie Kuehner, an environmentalist who serves on the board of Nature is Nonpartisan, a nonprofit organization advocating for bipartisan solutions to environmental issues Carl Kuehner, who chairs Building and Land Technology, a real estate development, investment and property management firm Leland Larson, a philanthropist and former CEO of School Bus Services and Larson Transportation Services – both family-owned public transportation businesses based in Oregon Freddie Rescigno, Jr., CEO of Commodity Cables, an electrical company he founded in 2001 Owolabi Salis, an attorney and a financial consultant Jim Sitkin, a retired lawyer from California Each spaceflight on a New Shepard vehicle lasts about 11 minutes from liftoff to capsule touchdown. Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space, the 60-foot-tall New Shepard rocket is topped with the gum drop-shaped crew capsule. The spacecraft operates completely autonomously, meaning no pilots are aboard. During its ascent, the spacecraft reaches supersonic speeds surpassing 2,000 mph before the rocket booster separates from the crew capsule. At that point, those aboard the capsule become weightless as the spacecraft continues toward its highest point on its brief voyage above the Kármán Line – the 62-mile-high internationally recognized boundary of space. While experiencing a few minutes of microgravity, passengers have the opportunity to unstrap themselves from their seats to gaze out the capsule's large windows and take in a stunning view of Earth. Meanwhile, the rocket booster heads back to the ground while firing its engines and using its fins to slow and control its descent to land vertical about two miles from the launchpad. The capsule itself eventually begins what Blue Origin refers to as a "stable freefall' – plummeting back to Earth as three massive parachutes deploy and the capsule makes a soft landing in the desert, sending up plumes of dust. Contributing: Jennifer Sangalang, USA TODAY Network Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Is there a Blue Origin rocket launch today? Where to watch from Texas

Yahoo

3 hours ago

• Yahoo

Summer travel predicted to break records for the Fourth of July

AAA projects a record 72 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the nine-day Independence Day holiday period — from June 28 to July 6 — with new highs expected for both drivers and air travelers as summer travel reaches peak season. The auto club forecasts nearly 62 million people will drive over the Fourth of July weekend, representing an increase of 1.3 million from last year. Air travel is expected to rise more than 1% over last year's record numbers. "The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer," said Kristie Jordan Smith, a Transportation Security Administration official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. How technology at airports is reducing wait times The Independence Day travel period is expected to be the summer's busiest travel stretch. Airport officials are implementing new technology to reduce wait times. At DFW, customs officials report wait times are down 25% thanks to enhanced passenger processing technology that uses facial recognition, now operational at nine airports nationwide. CBP will soon test a program allowing customs to review X-ray images of checked bags from London flights, eliminating the need for connecting passengers to clear security twice in Dallas. "This program streamlines and improves the travel experience for our customers, saving them time and reducing the complexity of clearing security while continuing to maintain the highest security standards," said Jim Moses, Senior Vice President DFW Hub Operations at American Airlines. DFW is the airline's largest hub. AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said travel demand reflects both practical and emotional factors. "We're seeing travel in record numbers because travel isn't just an economic and practical decision, it's also an emotional decision," Diaz said. "People don't have to spend a lot of money when they go on these trips, but people want to get away and not be home." According to Priceline, top summer destinations include Las Vegas, Orlando, Tokyo and London. SpaceX Starship upper stage blows up Hurricane Erick approaches Mexico with destructive winds, major storm surge AI's extreme human imitation makes it act deceptively, cheat and lie, "Godfather of AI" says