MTA to Cease Selling MetroCard by the End of the Year and Fully Implement OMNY System

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Wednesday (March 19th) that they will stop selling the old-fashioned MetroCard subway card by the end of this year and fully transition to using the contactless OMNY payment system. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber stated that while MetroCards will no longer be sold, existing cards can still be used until at least 2027. MTA has not yet announced the final deadline for the discontinuation of MetroCard usage.

MetroCard was introduced as a pilot program in 1993 and officially launched in January 1994, gradually replacing the tokens used in the New York City subway system at the time. It was not until 2003 that the tokens were officially retired.

In 2019, MTA introduced the new OMNY contactless payment system, which provides fast and convenient “tap-and-go” payment services. Users can quickly access public transportation systems by tapping with credit cards, smartphone apps, or dedicated OMNY transportation cards.

Since its launch, the OMNY system has been gradually gaining popularity. As of July 25th of last year, over half of New York’s public transportation users had switched to the OMNY system to enter the subway and buses.

The application scope of the OMNY system currently covers all subway stations in New York City, MTA-operated buses, the Roosevelt Island Tram, as well as the AirTrain Howard Beach and AirTrain Jamaica stations leading to Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Last year, MTA introduced OMNY cards tailored for specific groups, including students, seniors, and low-income individuals. Approximately 1.5 million eligible seniors and persons with disabilities are now using discounted OMNY cards.

Subway passengers will still be able to use their existing MetroCards for a period of time until the OMNY system fully replaces the current card readers. After that, MetroCards will be preserved for exhibition in transportation museums.