New York Subway Ends Metro Card
MetroCard era and switches fully to tap-and-go fares.
After 32 years of service, New York City has officially retired the MetroCard from new sales and refills as of December 31, 2025. The system has fully transitioned to OMNY (One Metro New York), a contactless tap-and-go payment system.
December 31, 2025: The final day to purchase or refill a MetroCard at subway stations or on buses.
January 1, 2026: OMNY became the primary fare payment method.
Ongoing 2026: Existing MetroCards with remaining balances will still be accepted for entry at turnstiles for a limited time. The MTA will announce a final "drop-dead" date for all swipes later in 2026.
Two-Year Window: Riders have up to two years after a MetroCard's expiration date to transfer remaining balances to an OMNY card or request a reimbursement at MTA mobile sales vans or customer service centers.
No New MetroCards: You can't buy or refill MetroCards as of 2026.
The Transition to OMNY- Payment Methods: Riders can now tap using contactless credit/debit cards, smartphones (Apple Pay, Google Pay), or a physical, reloadable OMNY Card.
Fare Capping: OMNY offers a "Best Fare" feature. After 12 paid rides within a seven-day period (Monday–Sunday) using the same device/card, all subsequent rides for that week are free, capping the weekly cost at $35.
Fare Increase: Coinciding with the retirement, the base subway and bus fare increased to $3.00 in January 2026.
Discontinued Options: The 30-Day Unlimited MetroCard has been discontinued; it is replaced by the automatic weekly fare cap system.
Legacy and Impact
Cultural Milestone: Introduced in 1994 to replace subway tokens, the MetroCard became an iconic symbol of NYC, featuring numerous limited-edition designs from David Bowie to the Wu-Tang Clan.
Operational Savings: The MTA expects the move to contactless-only payments to save approximately $20 million annually in production and maintenance costs.
To commemorate the card’s 30-year history, many New Yorkers held "funerals" and farewell ceremonies at locations like Washington Square Park on the final days of 2025. ++
