After over 20 years in service, New York City is about to bid farewell to the MetroCard. Introduced first in 1994, the MetroCard replaced tokens used on subway lines and brought with it unlimited weekly and monthly passes. But beginning in 2026, a new payment system called OMNY will take their place.
Here’s what you need to know about OMNY and the last days of the MetroCard.
MetroCard will be gone by the end of 2025
The MTA has said that selling and distributing MetroCards will end on December 31, 2025. Riders will no longer be able to buy them then. Although MetroCards will still be valid for a short while into 2026, there has not been an officially stated expiration date. Riders should switch over to OMNY as soon as possible to have no issues.
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What is OMNY?
OMNY, or One Metro New York, is the new contactless payment system. It launched in 2019 and is already being utilized on the majority of MTA services.
You don’t swipe a card with OMNY. You just tap and go. You can use
- A contactless debit or credit card
- A mobile digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.)
- A wearable device like a smartwatch
- An OMNY card, which is like a MetroCard but with tap technology
What payment methods are accepted with OMNY?
OMNY accepts a range of cards:
- Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, UnionPay, and JCB
- Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB
- Reloadable Prepaid Cards: Same networks as above
Note: OMNY does not accept gift cards, non-reloadable prepaid cards, or PIN-only debit cards.
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Where Can You Use OMNY?
OMNY can be used on:
- MTA subways and buses
- Staten Island Railway
- Roosevelt Island Trolley
- Hudson Rail Link
- AirTrain at Jamaica and Howard Beach
There will be additional services in the future. If you prefer a physical OMNY card, you can buy one for $5 at certain subway stations or participating retailers and mobile vans.
Is OMNY available for reduced-fare riders?
Yes. Cyclists 65 or older or with qualifying disabilities can ride OMNY at the reduced fare. You must link your reduced-fare account to OMNY, which you can do online.
What about student MetroCards?
Starting in 2023, the MTA began issuing OMNY cards to eligible public school students. New cards are usable 24/7 and up to four free rides every day, seven days a week. Students receive new OMNY cards at the beginning of the school year and use them over the summer.
Get ready for the change
The MetroCard fades away, and OMNY is the future of mass transit for New York City. Get up to speed on how to use OMNY before the final conversion in 2026.
