The MTA has announced that MetroCards will be phased out by 2024 and replaced by the OMNY payment system, which allows riders to make a contactless payment with their phones in lieu of swiping.
People Also Ask
After a decades-long run, MetroCard's time is coming to an end and riders will be moving to a new contactless payment method called OMNY. Currently, 23% of all subway and bus riders have migrated to the new system, the MTA said. And by 2024, everyone will have to switch over as the MetroCard is fully phased out.
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.
The old MetroCard machines will begin to be switched out starting early next year, and the process should be completed by the end of 2023, Curbed reports. The machines first started serving NYC's subway stations in 1999 after the system phased out tokens. They'll be retiring after 24 years of service.
If your Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard expires, you have two years from the expiration date to transfer any remaining money to a new card. Within the first year after expiration, use a MetroCard Vending Machine to transfer the balance to a new card.
Changes to New York City Transit faresThe base fare for subway, local buses and paratransit increased 15 cents, from $2.75 to $2.90. The 7-Day Unlimited Ride pass increased from $33 to $34, and the 30-Day Unlimited Ride pass increased from $127 to $132.
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.
OMNY card. A physical card is offered for people without access to mobile devices or contactless bank cards to load value onto and access the system. The card is thicker than the MetroCard it replaced, and is valid for seven years from purchase.
Benefits of OMNY include: Free transfers – Use the same card or device for both legs of your trip to get a free transfer. Free trips – Pay for 12 rides using the same card or device in a 7-day period, and all additional rides within the week are free. Learn more here.
In 2021, our total subway ridership was 760 million, reaching 45% of our 2019 ridership numbers. Total bus ridership was 312 million, back to 56% of our 2019 ridership numbers.
You can use cash, credit, or debit cards to make your purchase. New York City subway fares are $2.75 per trip. For visitors staying more than a couple of days you can buy a one week unlimited MetroCard for $33 or an unlimited monthly MetroCard for $127.00.
About bus faresOMNY 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.
What does “OMNY” mean? OMNY, which stands for One Metro New York, is based on the concept of unifying fare payments and ticketing across multiple modes of transportation. We believe that transportation is an essential service that connects communities and brings the diversity and energy of New York together.