We used our iPhone to ride the New York City subway today – that's the future
New York City is difficult. Fact. Here are two NYC facts of life: I am never not carrying more things in my hand, and one thing I always juggle is my smartphone.
That's why I'm ready to say goodbye to getting my yellow MetroCard every time I use the subway or bus, and the greeting to New York's contactless payment system.
I was so ready for the transition that I camped out at Grand Central Station, as if this was an old-fashioned Apple launch, to be the first to use MTA's now publicly launched OMNY (One Metro New York) contactless payment system in day.
Using an iPhone XR and Apple Watch 4 to get through Grand Central Turnstile, I found It to be as seamless as it is too late for New Yorkers.
Here are some facts we discovered on our first contactless NYC commute.
It's incredibly easy to use
It was difficult to take a picture of the OMNY contactless payment process in the action of this article simply because it happens fast. But that's the point of that, right?
We do not need to unlock and open our iPhone, or approve with Face ID, to pay. Just keeping the back of the phone up to the newly installed swing screen gave us the green light to start our underground journey.
Things that take me most about this process are that it doesn't require people to get MetroCard when we all usually have a phone in hand. I see the people's paw on bags and slim jean pockets with their one free hand, looking for the thin card.
OMNY represents less juggling for those of us who see every day passing by in the New York minute. Bonus Points: We don't have to waste plastic MetroCards anymore.
But it was also surprisingly late
I need the demo MTA's OMNY system (One Metro New York), the exact minute it went live to public. Of course it was a little late.
Saturday's launch actually took place at 1[ads1]2:19 ET, and it spread slowly to all the major central winds. I dashed for the first one that lit up to test it out.
Too late or not, when we looked at OMNY, worked without having once when the system was online, it was impressive. MTA workers monitoring the project were visibly thrilled (I had a cheering when I went through the turnstiles – again, big time Apple product launch energy).
London, Chicago and other cities already have contactless systems like this installed (and have been for many years), so New York is since that different. As we said, the biggest transit system in the United States is far behind the transition.
Using an iPhone is great, with an Apple Watch is better
Paying with an iPhone via Apple Pay worked well. We haven't tried using Android yet, but we want the next trip and we know it works with Google Pay in a similar way.
![Apple Watch is even easier when you have things in your hand (Caption: TechRadar) 19659019] Apple Watch is even easier when you have things in your hand. (Image credit: TechRadar) </p>
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<p> That said, I could see myself using Apple Watch more regularly when I carry other things in both hands or roll a suitcase with my phone in my pocket. </p>
<p> As long as you follow these instructions, you don't need to double-click the Page button: Open the Watch app on iPhone> tap the My Watch tab> Point to wallet and Apple Pay> and then tap Express Transit Card> Select your card and approve with Apple Watch with your password. </p>
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New Yorkers are eager to use it … wrong
Throughout the week, I discovered that New Yorkers pushed their plastic YellowCards up against the NFC reader's screen … For absolutely no effect. They wanted it to work already.
They were even more confused as the screen went from saying "Test Phase" to just saying "MetroCard" with a yellow background over the last 48 hours. To those who thought "press your yellow MetroCard here." It really meant, "Continue to swing."
Now, both of these pre-launch messages have disappeared, and MTA employees have released OMNY explainer pamphlets to people. But now it seems that everyone knows what to do.
Officially on 4-5-6 trains, secretly working elsewhere
Here is something that was not announced, but we discovered today: it works on more subway lines than MTA announced – if 4-5- 6 goes through the same station.
The dedicated 7-entry Grand Central also works with OMNY (Image credit: TechRadar)
Officially it works on 4-5 -6 metro between Grand Central and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center and Staten Island buses. For our second test, we used it on the 7-train at Grand Central (even the dedicated 7-entry worked flawlessly for us.)
In other words, even if you are not using the 4-5-6 subway, is a chance that you can still benefit from using your iPhone or Android to pay for the subway on a nearby track. OMNY deployment is much larger than expected first.
But it's mostly for tourists and one-time runners today
Today is the beginning of the end of MetroCard, but local New Yorkers with daily commuters may not be using it often because discount rates do not apply.
It is meant for one-time prices: $ 2.75. Commuters will not be able to add time (weeks or months) in 2019, and more riding seekers will not find any small savings.
Similarly, disabled riders must stay at MetroCard, according to MTA. Discounted trips via OMNY are a 2020 thing, along with the system's more widespread deployment.
You need iOS 12.3 but can't use iOS 12.4 beta
I had to roll back to iOS 12.3.1 to add Express Transit to my default credit card in the Wallet app. The Express Transit Settings menu item disappeared in iOS 12.4 beta.
It should be changed by WWDC 2019 if Apple officially launches iOS 12.4. Hopefully it will be an option if developers are upgrading to iOS 13 beta next week as well.
I ended up spending $ 16.50 to bring you this article
Ups. This article costs more than I expected, just because we have to tap our devices several times to get more photos, video and full experience.
The OMNY reader gives you plenty of time to get through the turnstile, but it also makes time out (it seems like a minute and a half if you don't go through the turnstiles). There is important information to mention, and my remark means I can write this off … hopefully.
