NEW YORK (PIX11) -- A New York City woman says the MTA sent her a reduced-fare OMNY card for her mother in December. The problem? Her mother passed away over 10 years ago.
Five million riders take the subways and buses on an average weekday. They swipe or tap to enter the turnstile.
The MTA has been encouraging people to switch to the new electronic fare payment system called OMNY. That stands for One Metro New York.
New vending machines are being installed at subway stations. In December, the agency started sending out new reduced-fare OMNY cards to registered customers.
Lucy Muj says she received one for her mother, Laura Vega, who passed away in 2013. She's concerned about fraud within the program.
In a statement to PIX11 News, MTA Spokesperson Laura Cala-Rauch said the agency's priority is giving all enrolled reduced-fare customers uninterrupted access to the transit system.
"The shift from MetroCard to OMNY is a once-in-a-generation event for the reduced-fare program, which provides half-fare travel to riders who are 65 years or older and those with qualifying disabilities. The MTA offers many channels for customers to enroll or update their information and actively maintains the reduced-fare membership lists so as not to overlook any customer," Cala-Rauch said.
Social security numbers are not included in the accounts. Currently, people have to apply for the reduced-fare program in person at a Customer Service Center or in Lower Manhattan.
For information about reduced fares, the transition to OMNY, and updating accounts, click here.
About 1.5 million customers are enrolled in the reduced-fare program. The MTA monitors for unauthorized use and dormant cards.
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