The clock is ticking for thousands of JFK Airport workers, as the beloved MetroCard, their ticket to affordable AirTrain travel, faces extinction. With the MTA phasing out the MetroCard in favor of the digital OMNY system, a crisis is brewing for airport employees who rely on discounted fares. But here's where it gets controversial... the Port Authority, which runs the city's airports, is lagging behind in adopting the new technology. This leaves airport workers scrambling for the few remaining MetroCards to avoid a steep fare hike.
The MetroCard, once a ubiquitous symbol of New York City transit, has become a lifeline for JFK Airport employees. The standard AirTrain fare is a hefty ($8.50) each way, but with a MetroCard, workers can purchase a ($42.50) 30-day card or a ($26.50) 10-trip card, offering significant savings. The MTA stopped selling the cards at the beginning of the year, and now, the few remaining cards are available at newsstands near the Jamaica and Howard Beach AirTrain stations.
But the supply is dwindling. A newsstand owner in the Jamaica station, Khan Suhail, says his stock of cards will last until March. After that, the future is uncertain. The Port Authority hasn't yet announced a plan to continue offering the discounts through the new OMNY system. A Port Authority spokesperson stated they are working with the MTA to implement the same discounts on OMNY.
This potential fare increase has many airport workers worried. Piantonio Ventura, who commutes from Manhattan, expressed his dismay at the thought of paying ($17) a day for the AirTrain, on top of his subway fare. He stated he can't afford that, and he would have to find another way to get to work. It's not just airline personnel who are affected. The AirTrain is the primary mode of transportation for many employees working in airport shops and restaurants. Jordan Carson, who works at a duty-free store, echoed the sentiment, stating they would not pay the increased fare.
And this is the part most people miss... The Port Authority's slow adoption of the OMNY system has been a bumpy ride. In 2023, OMNY readers were installed at some AirTrain entry gates, but the systems were incompatible, forcing the gates to remain open. The Port Authority called it a “temporary, creative interim OMNY solution.” The turnstiles with OMNY-only readers remain open today, relying on security guards to ensure passengers pay their fare.
The situation is further complicated by a leadership change at the Port Authority. With Executive Director Rick Cotton retiring and Kathryn Garcia taking over, transit advocates are urging her to address the issue. They also suggest that this could be an opportunity to set a new standard for a 30-day unlimited pass for all city transit systems. The MTA ended its 30-day unlimited pass option with the MetroCard's retirement, and now only offers a seven-day pass through OMNY. Lisa Daglian, from the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, hopes this will open the door for a 30-day unlimited subway or bus ticket option.
What do you think? Should the Port Authority prioritize affordable transit for airport workers? Do you think the MTA should bring back a 30-day unlimited pass? Share your thoughts in the comments!
