Screenshot of a Tweet by Dustin Jones containing four images, two of which he is standing in front of the newly implemented OMNY machines and the other two other pictures show the machines installed on the tourniquets but not for the door used by wheelchair users.
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Questioning the Accessibility of MTA’s Newly Implemented OMNY Tap-and-Go Fare System

Disability activist Dustin Jones questions the accessibility of the newly launched OMNY tap-and-go fare payment system, as the discounts for disabled people and seniors remain unavailable months after its implementation. Since October 2020, riders using non-discounted trips were able to pay with their smartphones or contactless cards at all subway stations or on all buses while the same option is unavailable for users with discount fares. This situation creates an additional economical barrier for disabled people in accessing and using the transportation infrastructure but also underlines that access remains an afterthought in NYC’s transit system. To this date, support for expanded fare options is still not implemented on the trains, buses, and paratransit known as Access-A-Ride. — Yan Grenier

Backup Media:

Dustin Jones in front of the accessible door where the OMNY system hasn't been installed
Screenshot of a 21 October 2020 post by DustinJEqualNY (@EqualAccessNy2) reads "To the decision makers at @MTA U work hard for all customers to have multiple ways of paying their fair you brag how #OMNY is for everybody why is it the #PWDCommunity only has one way to ride & pay reduce fare only All new yorkers have access to #OMNY u say #EqualAccess". Four photographs included in the post illustrate the challenges to people in wheelchairs posed by the MTA fare gates. Two include Dustin Jones, accessibility activist in a wheelchair.

Screenshot of an enlarged photograph from a 21 October 2020 Twitter (X) post by DustinJEqualNY (@EqualAccessNy2). The text on the right reads "To the decision makers at @MTA U work hard for all customers to have multiple ways of paying their fair you brag how #OMNY is for everybody why is it the #PWDCommunity only has one way to ride & pay reduce fare only All new yorkers have access to #OMNY u say #EqualAccess". The photograph depicts Dustin Jones, who wears blue sweatpants, a Yankees t-shirt, and a mask. Jones is seated in an orange wheelchair at an MTA service entrance door.

Screenshot of an enlarged photograph from a 21 October 2020 Twitter (X) post by DustinJEqualNY (@EqualAccessNy2). The text on the right reads "To the decision makers at @MTA U work hard for all customers to have multiple ways of paying their fair you brag how #OMNY is for everybody why is it the #PWDCommunity only has one way to ride & pay reduce fare only All new yorkers have access to #OMNY u say #EqualAccess". The photograph depicts a person swiping a metrocard as they walk through one of a row of MTA fare turnstiles.

Screenshot of an enlarged photograph from a 21 October 2020 Twitter (X) post by DustinJEqualNY (@EqualAccessNy2). The text on the right reads "To the decision makers at @MTA U work hard for all customers to have multiple ways of paying their fair you brag how #OMNY is for everybody why is it the #PWDCommunity only has one way to ride & pay reduce fare only All new yorkers have access to #OMNY u say #EqualAccess". The photograph depicts Dustin Jones, who wears blue sweatpants, a Yankees t-shirt, and a mask. Jones is seated in an orange wheelchair at an MTA service entrance door.

Screenshot of an enlarged photograph from a 21 October 2020 Twitter (X) post by DustinJEqualNY (@EqualAccessNy2). The text on the right reads "To the decision makers at @MTA U work hard for all customers to have multiple ways of paying their fair you brag how #OMNY is for everybody why is it the #PWDCommunity only has one way to ride & pay reduce fare only All new yorkers have access to #OMNY u say #EqualAccess". The photograph is of a service door for the NYC MTA. on the door a sign reads "To use this gate: 1. Wait on line and inform Station Agent in Booth 2. With Agent watching, swipe MetroCard at turnstile and rotate arm forward 3. Proceed to gate and wait for Agent to activate gate"