Re: “OMNY Fare Collection System,” Larry Penner. A number of key points the author misses.

First, in case it missed the author’s notice, it is still 2023. Until it’s midnight, 1/1/2024, the MTA will not have missed its stated deadline.

Second, what in heaven’s name does fare evasion have to do with OMNY?

OMNY is another way of paying the fare. Fare evasion is committed by walking past a bus driver or boarding the back of a bus without paying, jumping over or crawling under a turnstile, or unauthorized use of an exit gate.

Also part of the fare evasion process – and I am not commenting as to if this is indeed the case – is a lack of summonses issued and cases prosecuted. How can OMNY possibly stop fare evasion?

Third, in case it missed the author’s notice, the world was devastated by a pandemic in 2020. Could that have had something to do with missed deadlines? When Mr. Penner was with FTA did her ever miss a deadline?

Fourth, OMNY works. I have used it. I prefer MetroCard, but OMNY does work.

What is the author’s problem? Why does less than 100% usage get the author’s knickers in a twist? And so long as everyone is paying – be it OMNY or MetroCard – what does it matter how they pay?

Fifth, something else that misses the author’s notice, not everyone has the money for a Smartphone. Not everyone has a bank account to tap. Some people with bank accounts do not wish to use them for security reasons. Does Mr. Penner have any suggestions here?

Sixth, when Mr. Penner is on his soapbox about why fare increases are necessary, he touches upon how the MetroCard has eliminated two fare zones (he thinks two fare zones are great when he urges us to be good stewards of the environment; forgetting the fact that he advocates eating environmentally degrading factory farmed meat).

Why is the author on his soapbox now about integrating NYC Transit with PATH, LIRR, NJ Transit, etc.? This is the first time he has ever mentioned this in any of his opinion pieces.

Seventh, if the MTA has never made public the true cost of OMNY has Mr. Penner tried making a Freedom of Information request of the MTA? As an “ordinary” citizen (his own words) he’s free to do so. It costs either nothing but the price of electricity to make one online or a 66-cent postage stamp and a letter.

Doing so and being denied the information would give the author the right to complain about the MTA’s alleged lack of transparency.

While I suppose no one is forcing me to read his opinion pieces it is so irritating to “hear” him complain incessantly. Until macular degeneration which is more or less under arrest forced her to stop my mother was a poll worker with the Dona Ana County Board of Elections until well into her eighties.

She was active with the Dona Ana County Democrats until my father (RIP) left us last year. She also was a storyteller to young children. I couldn’t agree less with her politics.

I couldn’t admire her more for doing her little piece to make the world a better place. While my own activism has yielded to other pressing items I’m a union representative and I take part in various union meetings, such as its Political Action Committee.

Does the author volunteer at a soup kitchen? For an adult literacy project? Volunteer to help shut ins? Run for unpaid position in his political party of choice?

Does he do anything to make the world a better place aside from endless opinion pieces that almost always state the problem but much of the time do not offer a solution?

Nat Weiner

Bronx