NYC retires the MetroCard

By Alvin Wu
Domestic Affairs
NYC retires the MetroCard

ZFJ editor-in-chief Alvin Wu holds his MetroCard in front of the turnstiles at 34th Street—Herald Square station. ZFJ/Alvin Wu

NEW YORK, Jan. 1 (ZFJ) — The MetroCard is retiring in favor of the OMNY tap and ride fare system.

Per the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), customers can no longer buy or refill MetroCards as of Thursday, Jan 1. Customers with valid MetroCards can transfer the value to an OMNY Card at a customer service center or use up the value before it expires.

The OMNY system allows riders to use their contactless credit or debit cards or a physical OMNY Card to pay for subway and bus fares.

Using the same card for both legs of a trip will secure a free transfer. For riders on subways and local, limited, rush, and Select Service buses, OMNY fares are capped at $34 (or $17 for reduced fares) for a seven-day period. A similar fare cap of $67 will launch for Express bus riders on Sunday, Jan. 4.

The same payment method must be continually used in order to progress toward the fare cap. Fare cap progress can be tracked online with an OMNY account.

Physical OMNY cards can be bought and refilled at vending machines in subway stations throughout the city or select retail locations. As a limited-time introductory offer, riders can buy a new OMNY card for $1.

The MTA says that the MetroCard, introduced in 1994 to replace subway tokens, will still be accepted for some time in 2026, and it will announce the exact date of discontinuation later in the year. Remaining balances will be eligible for transfer or reimbursement for two years after the expiration date on the MetroCard.

Customers with a 7-Day or 30-Day Unlimited Ride pass must begin using it by March 31 to get the full days of unlimited rides. Riders who start using the pass after March 31 will need to request a pro-rated refund in OMNY Card value.

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