Some NYC subway riders are accidentally getting double-charged because of Apple Pay

Dozens of subway riders in New York City are being charged extra for their transit rides, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority suspects that Apple may be partly to blame. The MTA is not explicitly pointing the finger at Apple, but it appears that some riders may be unwittingly putting their iPhones too close to the system’s new tap-to-pay OMNY readers while simultaneously swiping their MetroCards at the turnstile. Last spring, the MTA began installing tap-to-pay readers as part of its new fare payment system called OMNY, which stands for “One Metro New York. ” Soon after, Apple announced a new feature called Express Transit, which would allow customers to pay for riding the subway without opening an app or unlocking their phone.

They simply needed to place their iPhones on the reader and then walk through the turnstile. The trouble is some people have the Express Transit feature enabled, but are still using their MetroCard to pay for rides. While swiping their MetroCard, their iPhones are somehow coming into contact with the reader, either because they were holding it in their hands or through a pocket or purse, the MTA suspects. However it happens, they are getting charged twice for the ride.

Gothamist, which first reported the incidents, highlighted the tweets from some of the people who were doubly charged. #OMNY managed to scan my credit card through my purse while I swiped my #MetroCard at UES 86th Street. Appreciate the enthusiasm, but no. @2AvSagas Whoaaaa just got charged $2.

75 by @MTA OMNY even though I swiped my monthly metro card and my phone was in my pocket. This is kinda crazy, @NYCTSubway? pic.

“twitter.”

com/Xnb4MBCbXa @NYCTSubway - my ApplePay has now been charged SEVERAL TIMES accidentally by your OMNY machines even though I use an unlimited Metrocard every time I ride subway. My bank said many customers had been calling to dispute these charges. When will you fix it??? @NYCMayor #mtastealing Naturally, many of these people assume the problem is with the MTA, and not their own behavior.