Google Wallet Collaborates with Independent New York City Clothing Brand Only NY to Promote Adoption of Contactless Payment in Transit

Pop-Up Shop will be Open Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 25

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that the Authority is teaming up with Google Wallet, an OMNY marketing partner, and local artist Micah Belamarich, Co-Founder and Creative Director at Only NY, a New York City-inspired clothing brand, to bring a pop-up shop and art installation to Grand Central Terminal starting on Friday, June 16, to illustrate the many benefits of tapping and using contactless payment when riding mass transit. The pop-up will feature the artist’s original artwork and merchandise from OnlyNY’s MTA collection. Watch a teaser video on Instagram about the shop here.

“We are thrilled to host this partnership between Google Wallet and Only NY in the most historic train terminal in the world,” said MTA Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “70% of OMNY users tap with their phones and digital wallets and there are over 2 million OMNY taps every day because OMNY is the fastest, most secure and convenient way for our customers to ride with New York City Transit.”

The Pop-Up shop will be open Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 22. Shoppers who tap to pay with Google Pay during checkout will receive 20 percent off and a free Only NY tote bag while supplies last. The tote bag will feature an original design by Micah Belamarich. This offer is only valid for people who pay using Google Pay.

Google Pay is one of the MTA’s OMNY marketing partners working with the Authority to promote contactless payment adoption in transit. The MTA collaborates with its partners to develop value-added offers, unique experiences, and other benefits for riders who pay with their bank card or digital wallet.

OMNY's Continued Growth  

OMNY continues to grow in market share among New York City Transit customers with nearly half of all subway riders tapping instead of swiping their fare. The MTA hit the 750 million total taps milestone in February of this year. OMNY has now processed cards issued in 192 of the 195 countries that issue bank cards. 

Nearly 100% of all OMNY transactions are made on customers' own personal devices or cards, making the MTA unique among North American transit systems. 

In October, OMNY was rolled out to Reduced-Fare customers, who can now make the switch from MetroCard to riding with their personal device or contactless card. Reduced-Fare customers can make the switch from MetroCard to OMNY seamlessly online with the OMNY digital assistant, which is available 24/7 at OMNY.info. A how-to video for customers who want to switch to OMNY can be seen here.    

OMNY is the MTA’s contactless fare payment system — and it's the easiest, most flexible way to pay the subway or bus fare. Riders do not have to sign up or download an app to use OMNY; simply use a contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device, or OMNY card to tap and go. Visit https://new.mta.info/fares/omny for full details.

About Only NY

Only NY is an independent clothing brand driven and inspired by the City, Outdoors, and Arts. Founded in 2007, Only NY has organically grown into a globally established brand offering.