How to pay for buses in New York
New York MTA buses accept OMNY contactless cards, phone wallets and OMNY cards. Cash is still accepted on buses for now, but local buses require exact change in coins.
Best option for tourists
Use OMNY with one contactless card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or OMNY card. If paying cash on local buses, bring exact coins; Select Bus Service has off-board cash ticketing.
| Transport | Card | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Cash | Onboard | Advance ticket | Front door | Tap off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York busTap OMNY on the bus reader when boarding. Cash is currently accepted on MTA buses, but exact-change and Select Bus Service rules make it a worse tourist option. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Partial | No |
Can you pay by card on the bus?
Yes. MTA/OMNY supports contactless credit/debit cards, smart devices and OMNY cards on buses.
Do you need to buy a ticket before boarding?
No advance ticket is needed if you use OMNY on standard buses. Select Bus Service cash users must use the sidewalk kiosk before boarding.
Cash, boarding doors and tap-off rules
Cash is currently accepted on local, limited, rush and Select Bus Service buses, but MTA says exact change in coins is required on local/limited/rush buses.
Common questions
Can I pay with card on the bus in New York?
Yes. MTA/OMNY supports contactless credit/debit cards, smart devices and OMNY cards on buses.
Do I need cash for buses in New York?
Cash is currently accepted on local, limited, rush and Select Bus Service buses, but MTA says exact change in coins is required on local/limited/rush buses.