Karmactive Staff
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has officially set December 31, 2025, as the final day for MetroCard sales, marking the end of a three-decade run for the iconic blue-and-yellow fare cards. This shift finalizes the transition to OMNY, the contactless tap-and-go payment system that has already captured 65% of rider transactions.
Key Timeline and Changes
MetroCards won’t disappear overnight. The cards will remain usable for at least six months into 2026, with an official final acceptance date to be announced later. Retail partners will stop selling MetroCards by fall 2025, giving commuters time to adjust.
“After 32 years, it’s time to say goodbye to the MetroCard and go all in on the fare payment system of the future,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said at a recent Crain’s New York Business event.
The MTA originally planned this transition for 2023, but COVID-19 and manufacturing delays with OMNY vending machines pushed the timeline back. The initial $573 million contract with Cubic to install OMNY has since increased to over $700 million due to these delays.
Payment Options Moving Forward
OMNY offers several payment methods:
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Contactless credit/debit cards
- Physical OMNY cards (available for $1)
By fall 2025, all 472 subway stations will have OMNY vending machines where riders can purchase and reload OMNY cards with cash. Currently, OMNY use varies across rider groups, with 85% of regular fare customers and 55% of reduced-fare customers now using the tap system.
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Financial Benefits and Concerns
The MTA expects to save at least $20 million annually by eliminating MetroCard production, distribution, vending machine repairs, and cash handling. For riders, OMNY’s fare-capping feature automatically provides free unlimited rides after spending $34 in a week (equivalent to the cost of a weekly MetroCard), which the MTA says returns over $8 million worth of free trips to customers monthly. To receive these benefits, customers must use the same card or device for all legs of their trips.
“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,” said NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow.
The MTA claims customers waste $40 million annually on unused weekly and monthly MetroCard trips. With OMNY, riders don’t pre-pay for multiple trips and forfeit unused value.
However, OMNY currently lacks a direct equivalent to the 30-day unlimited MetroCard pass. The MTA board plans to address fare structures later this year, which could potentially end the 30-day pass option altogether.
Challenges for Regional Transit
The transition creates complications for Nassau County bus riders. The Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE Bus) system, which serves about 76,000 daily riders, hasn’t fully implemented OMNY yet. Approximately 45% of NICE riders currently use MetroCards, which provide free transfers to MTA buses and subways.
While the MTA states NICE buses will transition to OMNY by the end of 2025, NICE officials have been less certain about meeting this deadline. In November, NICE communications director Erika Richards predicted the rollout might extend into 2026.
Charlton D’souza, president of rider advocacy group Passengers United, expressed serious concerns: “What’s going to happen is that NICE Bus customers are going to be locked out of the discounts that the MetroCard provides, and they’re going to have to pay double fares. That’s what it looks like, and it’s disgusting.”
Customer Experience Changes
For customers with remaining balances on MetroCards, the MTA offers options:
- Transfer funds to an OMNY card at Mobile Van locations or Customer Service Centers
- Request reimbursement at these same locations
- Use existing MetroCards until they’re phased out
- Remaining balances will be transferable or eligible for reimbursement for two years after the card’s expiration date
The OMNY system has reached an 85% customer satisfaction rate according to the MTA, with possibilities for expanded services like tourist-specific deals and loyalty programs similar to frequent flyer programs.
