MetroCard transition
We’re replacing AAR ID and AAR MetroCard for eligible customers with a new AAR OMNY ID card in advance of MetroCard sales ending after December 31, 2025. If you are an existing AAR MetroCard user and already have the four free trip benefit on your card, this benefit will transfer to your AAR OMNY ID card. Unlike the AAR MetroCard, the AAR OMNY ID will allow you to add value to the card for additional rides.
Eligibility
To find out if you are eligible for the four free trips benefit, call AAR, and press 4 for Eligibility. AAR staff will review your account and let you know if you are eligible for free subway and bus trips.
Registering for and using the free trip benefit does not affect your Paratransit eligibility.
Where you can travel
With your AAR OMNY ID card, you can take four free rides a day on:
- Subway
- Local, limited, and SBS buses
- Staten Island Railway
- Roosevelt Island Tram
You must pay your fare on express buses. If you have a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), they can travel with you for free on express buses. Read more about the different kinds of bus service in New York City.
You must pay your fare on AirTrain JFK. If you have a PCA, they must also pay their fare on AirTrain JFK.
How to travel
Tap your AAR OMNY card on an OMNY reader when you board the subway, bus, SIR, or tram. If you still have an AAR MetroCard, you can use it for free travel until you receive your AAR OMNY card. Learn more about OMNY for Access-A-Ride.
To plan an accessible trip, select the "Accessible Trip" option on the MTA Trip Planner. This will show only routes and stations that meet accessibility requirements.
Automatic free transfers apply between eligible modes, such as subway to bus, SIR to bus, or between buses.
You can take up to four free trips per day, from midnight–11:59 p.m. Unused trips do not roll over to the next day. If you take more than four free trips:
- You must have enough funds loaded on your card to pay for a ride for additional trips. Learn more about adding funds to your OMNY card.
- You will be charged full fare for the additional rides. If you qualify for Reduced-Fare, you can use that card to pay for the additional trips. Learn more about subway and bus fares.
- Paid trips will count toward OMNY’s seven-day fare cap.
Read more about how to take an accessible trip on the subway.
Read more about how to take an accessible trip on the bus.
Personal Care Attendant travel
If you have the PCA certification on your AAR OMNY ID card, when using your four free trips benefit, tap your card twice — once for you, once for your PCA. Additional people traveling must pay the applicable transit fare.
If you are eligible for a PCA, it will be indicated on your AAR OMNY ID Card. PCAs may accompany eligible AAR customers on subways and local buses free of charge.
A PCA may be a relative, spouse, friend, or professional attendant, and is not required to show ID when supporting the AAR customer with their transportation needs.
A PCA is not allowed to use an AAR OMNY ID card or MetroCard without the AAR customer. AAR customers are responsible for the conduct of their PCAs and guests. Acts of misconduct may result in the loss of Paratransit service. Read the Conduct Policy in the Guide to Access-A-Ride for more details.
Get help
If you have any issues using this benefit with your new card, call us and press 4 for Eligibility to speak with an agent.
Learn more about how to get help with your AAR OMNY ID card.