The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the final day for MetroCard sales and distribution will be December 31, 2025, as the MTA’s popular contactless tap-and-go payment system fully replaces the three-decade old swipe system. The tap-and-go payment system allows riders to pay fares directly with digital wallets, contactless credit and debit cards, and OMNY cards.
Customers who prefer to use a physical card and/or pay with cash can buy an OMNY card for $1 and load or reload their card at thousands of retail locations, online, Mobile Sales Van locations or at subway stations throughout New York City where OMNY vending machines are currently available. Rollout will be complete by the fall when all 472 subway stations will have an OMNY vending machine. Customers can check this progress online and find out whether their station features an OMNY vending machine. Retail partner locations will no longer sell MetroCards as of the Fall of 2025.
“After 32 years, it’s time to say goodbye to the MetroCard and go all in on the fare payment system of the future,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Tap-and-go – already the choice for 65% of our riders – is not only easier and more convenient to use, it also opens the door for new discounts and promotions that’ll put money back in riders’ pockets.”
“The tap-and-go system has greatly simplified how to use the MTA and navigate New York City,” said New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “Tap-and-go has become very popular among subway and bus riders, and for good reason – it is the fastest, easiest, and most convenient way to pay the fare and we encourage any remaining customers to make the switch as soon as possible for a seamless transition.”
“While there’s no doubt the MetroCard will remain an iconic New York City symbol, tap-and-go fare payment has been a game changer for everyday riders and visitors, saving them the guessing game on what fare package is most cost efficient for their travels and making using NYC’s transit system much easier,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “This is a prime example of how we’re leveraging new technology to modernize our systems and create a better customer experience.”
“Through better contracting and project management, MTA Construction & Development has saved time and money on a project designed to do the same thing for our customers,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “We’re proud to deliver better, faster, and cheaper implementation of a more efficient and cost-effective system, and we look forward to a new era of even easier ways to access to transit for everyone.”
MetroCards will still be accepted into 2026 and the official final acceptance date will be announced at a later time. While customers are encouraged to spend down the value on their MetroCards, remaining balances will be eligible for transfer or reimbursement two years from the expiration date on the MetroCard. To transfer funds, customers can bring an OMNY card and their remaining MetroCards to any of the Mobile Van locations, Customer Service Centers (CSC) located in 15 stations or to Lower Manhattan at 3 Stone St. To request a reimbursement, customers can visit any of the above locations. To find a CSC, click here.
Moving to a contactless payment unlocks potential for new promotions, discounts, special deals for tourists and even the possibility of a loyalty program similar to frequent flyer airline programs. Additionally, the contactless system will assist the MTA in its fare compliance efforts, enabling the Authority to explore technology systems used throughout the world to check proof of payment.
Putting Money Back Into Customers’ Pockets
There is $40 million of fare value underutilized annually from weekly and monthly MetroCards. By switching to tap-and-go, customers do not have to pre-pay for multiple trips to receive a discount and forfeit what they don’t spend. The fare-capping feature, available to customers who use a digital wallet, a contactless debit/credit card or an OMNY card, makes transit more accessible by leaving money in customers’ pockets.
Customers automatically receive free, unlimited rides for the rest of the week once they have paid $34 (or $17 for enrolled Reduced-Fare customers) in fares — the same as taking 12 trips. The fare cap is reached nearly 1 million times every month and gives customers over $8 million worth of free trips every month.
