MTA celebrates 1 billion OMNY taps

Plus: DOT workers sue for overtime pay. [FORWARD TO A FRIEND]( [VIEW IN BROWSER]( [DONATE]( [WNYC Politics Brief] [NYC commuters have tapped into subways via OMNY 1 billion times]( [an MTA conductor sticks their head out the window of a train]( The MTA announced on Wednesday that customers have tapped into the system using the OMNY fare payment system more than 1 billion times. The agency commemorated the exact moment the milestone was reached on Wednesday morning with a news conference at the 74th Street-Broadway station in Jackson Heights, Queens. Health worker Candida Alfonso was honored as the billionth tapper at the station, where she usually catches the 7 train. “I’ve been using my OMNY card since 2020,” Alfonso said in Spanish. “I’m an essential worker taking care of sick patients in their homes for the last 10 years, and I’ve used the OMNY card during the pandemic to not touch the machines.” [Read the story.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🚆 --------------------------------------------------------------- More transit stories to know this week DOT repair workers suing NYC for overtime pay Nearly 400 Department of Transportation highway repair workers claim they aren’t being paid overtime in a lawsuit brought against the city. ([Gothamist]( NJ sues over NYC congestion pricing A lawsuit filed Friday by New Jersey officials seeks to block the MTA’s congestion pricing plan, which will charge motorists entering Manhattan south of 60th street, with Jersey officials arguing the new toll will make traffic surge in communities throughout the state. ([Gothamist]( NYC proposes closing crosswalk parking loophole The Department of Transportation is looking to undo a 2009 policy that allows parking in unmarked crosswalks at T-intersections. ([Streetsblog]( Lyft considers selling Citi Bike Amid financial trouble for the rideshare company, Lyft is looking at either a strategic Citi Bike partnership or putting it up for sale altogether. In the meantime, Citi Bike users aren't expected to face interruptions. ([WSJ]( Rider’s Choice Award winner announced Brass Queens won the first ever WE ❤️ NYC Riders’ Choice Award where New Yorkers got to vote for their favorite subway performer. The band, which features an all-female horn section, will receive a recording session with Atlantic Records. ([Governor's Office]( NYC subway water cleaner than expected A test of those funky-looking droplets that come from subway station ceilings found them to be surprisingly clean(er than imagined). ([Curbed]( UES residents upset over Airbnb van parked on street At $96 a night, the Airbnb van is a good deal if you don’t mind not having indoor plumbing. But residents close to the van’s parking spaces say it's a nuisance, and renters have resorted to doing their bathroom business on the street. ([Daily News]( App-only parking meter pilot coming to Sixth Avenue The city's Department of Transportation will begin piloting app-only payments for commercial vehicle parking meters on Sixth Avenue between West 14th and 23rd streets to see if the payment system can work citywide. ([Daily News]( New MTA bus wheelchair securing device introduced A new device for wheelchair users to automatically secure themselves in place on MTA buses without the driver’s help is being piloted. ([amNY]( Hybrid workers make commutes easier lately With hybrid workers usually staying home on Mondays and Fridays, those who do have to go into a physical work space on those days are noticing a quieter commute... but let's not jinx it. ([New York Times]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 🚆 --------------------------------------------------------------- Support WNYC + Gothamist Make a donation to support local, independent journalism. Your contributions are our largest source of funding and pays for essential election coverage and more. [DONATE]( [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [WNYC]( [WQXR]( [NJPR]( [GOTHAMIST]( [WNYC STUDIOS]( [THE GREENE SPACE]( Copyright © New York Public Radio. 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013 All rights reserved. [Terms of Use.]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your [preferences]( or [unsubscribe]( from this list