A major change is coming to the Bee-Line Bus system in Westchester County as officials roll out the OMNY contactless fare system in the new year.

County Executive Ken Jenkins announced that starting Sunday, Jan. 4, OMNY will officially replace MetroCards on all Bee-Line buses.

OMNY allows riders to pay fares by tapping a smartphone app, contactless credit or debit card, smartwatch or a physical OMNY card. Jenkins says the move is designed to make commuting faster and easier, bringing Westchester in line with transit systems already using tap-and-go technology.

Some riders say they are ready for the transition, noting the convenience of having all payment options stored on their phones. Others, however, expressed frustration with the timing of the rollout, saying the change came too quickly and left frequent riders scrambling to prepare.

The switch to OMNY also includes a 25-cent base fare increase, a detail that surprised some commuters. County officials note that seniors and riders enrolled in reduced-fare programs will receive additional discounts.

Westchester County officials say coins will still be accepted on all Bee-Line buses during the transition.