File #: Res 1287-2020    Version: * Name: MTA to ensure that OMNY cards, when released to the public, are immediately made available for cash purchase in all NYC Transit vending machines.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Transportation
On agenda: 4/22/2020
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the MTA to ensure that OMNY cards, when released to the public, are immediately made available for cash purchase in all New York City Transit vending machines to ensure equity for unbanked and underbanked households.
Sponsors: Helen K. Rosenthal, Margaret S. Chin, Ydanis A. Rodriguez
Council Member Sponsors: 3
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 1287, 2. April 22, 2020 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 4-22-20, 4. Minutes of the Stated Meeting - April 22, 2020
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2021*Helen K. Rosenthal City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/22/2020*Helen K. Rosenthal City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/22/2020*Helen K. Rosenthal City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 1287

 

Resolution calling upon the MTA to ensure that OMNY cards, when released to the public, are immediately made available for cash purchase in all New York City Transit vending machines to ensure equity for unbanked and underbanked households.

 

By Council Members Rosenthal, Chin and Rodriguez

 

Whereas, In spring 2019, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launched a pilot program of One Metro New York (OMNY), its new tap-to-pay system that will replace all MetroCards by 2023; and

Whereas, Currently, at locations where the system is available, riders can only pay for OMNY with contactless bank cards or smart devices linked to a digital wallet system, such as Apply Pay or Google Pay; and

Whereas, While riders may continue to use MetroCards until 2023-which may be purchased from MTA vending machines using cash or a bank card-once OMNY cards are made available in 2021, they will initially only be made available for cash (and credit or debit) purchase at retail locations, such as CVS and Rite Aid, though people with contactless cards or digital wallet apps will be able to continue making direct payments to OMNY systems where they are located; and

Whereas, Offering OMNY cards solely at retail locations upon its rollout will create inequity by prohibiting minority, low-income, senior, immigrant, domestic violence victims and other traditionally-unbanked and underbanked communities from purchasing such cards with cash at MTA vending machines; and

Whereas, 360,000 households in New York City (11.7% of the population) had no bank account in 2013, and 780,000 households were underbanked (25.1% of the population), meaning they may have a bank account, but still rely on other financial services to cash checks, transfer money, or access a loan, according to a 2013 Urban Institute report; and

Whereas, Ensuring OMNY cards are made immediately available for cash purchase at MTA vending machines will create fairness between banked and unbanked/underbanked populations in purchase-accessibility; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the MTA to ensure that OMNY cards, when released to the public, are immediately made available for cash purchase in all New York City Transit vending machines to ensure equity for unbanked and underbanked households.

 

 

LS #13968

9/22/2020 5:20 PM

M.T.