Surprised that there isn't much discussion in this thread. By now, OMNY readers are installed on all NYCT buses, at all NYC subway stations, and all Staten Island Railroad stations. I used it with a smartphone on May 1st and it was lovely. So much easier than fiddling with an unreliable MetroCard.
I may be going back with a group later this summer and was confused at this entry on the OMNY FAQ page:
"Important: If you are using a new payment method, you will not be able to perform pass-backs when you use that payment method for the first time. This is because the system must have a record of your payment method before you can perform pass-backs."
OMNY is able to provide rides and transfers for up to four people on each contactless bank card or smart device. But if you arrive with someone who has never used the OMNY system, and say you are using a new smart device, does this mean each of you have to scan and then wait two hours until passbacks are available? I don't get it.
I hope we will learn more about the OMNY card and rollout to Metro-North and LIRR soon. Will CTDOT hop in on the system for the Hartford Line and Shore Line East?