In 2026, the traditional 7-day unlimited MetroCard has been effectively retired and replaced by the OMNY (One Metro New York) contactless payment system. Under the new "fare-capping" rules, you no longer need to pre-pay for a weekly pass. Instead, you simply "tap and ride" using your contactless credit card, smartphone, or OMNY card. Once you have completed 12 paid trips ($3.00 each) in any 7-day rolling period using the same device or card, every subsequent ride for the remainder of those seven days is completely free. This means the effective cost of a "7-day unlimited" pass is capped at $36.00. This system is more flexible than the old MetroCard because the "week" starts the moment you take your first ride, rather than being fixed to a specific calendar week. While physical MetroCards may still be accepted at some turnstiles through mid-2026 as the phase-out completes, the OMNY fare cap is the official and most convenient way for both locals and tourists to navigate the NYC subway and bus system.