New York Subway Ends its MetroCard

News wires

The MetroCard, a fixture of New York City transit for more than three decades, is nearing the end of its run.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that December 31, 2025 will be the final day to buy or refill a MetroCard, as the system fully transitions to OMNY, its contactless fare payment platform.

Existing MetroCards will remain valid into 2026 so riders can use remaining balances.

Introduced in 1994, the MetroCard replaced subway tokens and transformed commuting by enabling free transfers and unlimited ride passes. Today, more than 90 percent of subway and bus trips are paid using OMNY, which allows riders to tap a credit card, phone, or reloadable OMNY card. The system was launched in 2019 and is similar to contactless transit payments used in major cities worldwide.

The MTA says eliminating MetroCards will save at least $20 million annually.

OMNY also includes automatic fare capping, providing unlimited rides after 12 trips in a seven-day period. Once fares rise to $3 in January, the weekly cap will be $35.

Some longtime riders, particularly seniors, have expressed concerns to the Associated Press about the new system’s learning curve and reduced visibility of remaining balances. Others say the transition is simply part of adapting to change.