How do I switch from MetroCard to OMNY?

How can I switch from Reduced-Fare MetroCard to OMNY? To make the switch, use the digital assistant in the bottom-right of your screen on any page on omny.info, and follow prompts to put your reduced fare benefit on your smart device or contactless card.



As of January 1, 2026, the MTA has officially retired the sale and refilling of the classic MetroCard. To switch to OMNY (One Metro New York), the easiest method is to simply use your contactless credit/debit card or a smartphone with a digital wallet (Apple Pay/Google Pay) directly at the turnstile. There is no need to "sign up"—you just tap and ride. If you prefer a physical card, you can purchase an OMNY Card at retail locations or new vending machines. For those with remaining balances on a MetroCard, the MTA allows you to transfer that value to an OMNY account at a Customer Service Center. A major benefit of switching is the "Fare Capping" feature: after 12 paid trips in a 7-day period using the same device or card, all subsequent rides for the rest of that week are free, replacing the need for an "Unlimited" pass.

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In fact, 88% of the time, OMNY is cheaper than a 30-day MetroCard if I average 10 rides a week. Let's see if we can generalize this to other weekly averages: As you can see, up until I average 11 rides a week, OMNY is usually better. More often than not, I'll save money if I stick with it and skip the Unlimited card.

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OMNY caps your weekly fares at $34 when you tap the same card or device for every ride. Your first tap starts a new seven-day cap. If you spend $34 within seven days, you ride free for the rest of the cap period. If you spend less, you only pay for the rides you take.

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The new payment system will accept contactless debit and credit cards, digital wallets and OMNY cards to ride the AirTrain.

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You don't have to sign up or download an app to use OMNY; simply use your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device, or OMNY card to tap and go. OMNY currently supports full-fare and Reduced-Fare pay-per-ride options.

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The OMNY rollout started in 2019, and its tap-and-go contactless readers now exist in every subway station and on every bus route in the city. MetroCards, according to the MTA, will be fully phased out by 2024 — as will the vending machines.

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Purchase and use of this OMNY card constitutes your acceptance of the OMNY Terms of Service and the OMNY Privacy Policy at omny.info/terms-of-service and omny.info/privacy-policy. This OMNY card costs $5 to purchase and must be loaded with a minimum of $1 or a fare product at the time of purchase.

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OMNY readers are point-of-sale terminals, allowing you to pay your fare and enter the system – all in a split second. Just like you swipe or dip your MetroCard at MetroCard readers, you can tap your contactless card, your smart device, or an OMNY card at OMNY readers.

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OMNY is accepted on all New York City buses. Fares can also be paid with a MetroCard, coins, or SingleRide ticket. Some buses are fare-free: Q70-LaGuardia Link to and from LaGuardia Airport.

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OMNY is available on all MTA-operated local, limited, and Select Bus Service routes in New York City, as well as express buses.

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Reduced-Fares. Reduced-fare MetroCards and One Metro New York (OMNY) are available for riders who are 65 or older or riders who have qualifying disabilities. The reduced fare is half the base fare.

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The New York City subway system began rolling out Apple Pay Express Transit back in May 2019, and it was available at all stations by the end of 2020.

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