From January 1st, 2026 the People who use this public transportation in New York You can no longer top up the MetroCardwhich remains valid for payments for around six months. Instead it is will implement the OMNY system as the only methodwhich has been in operation for six years and for both the Subway and buses.
The contactless payment system for public transportation in the New York region will soon become the only way to pay for rides metro and buses. According to the official website, it is possible To pay, use your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device or OMNY card.
The website also notes that customers using OMNY can do so receive certain benefits:
He January 4, 2026the amount of the individual trip it will cost three dollarscompared to the current $2.90.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTAfor its acronym in English) assured that at abolish the sale of MetroCard and fully transition to a single collection method for standby fees Save at least $20 million in costs annually.
While customers are encouraged to spend the Remaining balance on your MetroCards before you throw it away, the money The balance can be transferred or refunded two years after the expiration date. The system is expected to have been implemented three decades ago stop working in June 2026.
For Transfer fundsCustomers can Carry an OMNY card and your MetroCards remaining at one of the Mobile Van branches, at the Customer Service Centers (CSC) at 15 stations or to Lower Manhattan, 3 Stone St.
Public transport users can do this Buy OMNY cards from vending machines. According to the MTA, they are currently installed in the 472 subway stations. In addition, there are around 2700 companies where they can be purchased and charged.
Those who If you prefer to pay in cash, you can purchase the OMNY card for $1 and charge or top up in stores, online, at mobile sales terminals or at physical money stations.
In the case of the reduced rate, whoever applies Eligible for discounted amounts will also be transferred to OMNY.
Those who paid with Monthly MetroCardwhich allowed you to pay a fixed price for unlimited rides for 30 days, this is no longer possible. This method has been discontinued and the current system does not offer a monthly option.
Westchester County Bee-Line bus drivers have used the MetroCard for years free transfers. According to the MTA it is Readers for this network will not be active until early January. With just over a week left until the end of 2025, these circumstances could result in a… Period during which passengers must carry just enough money with them.
Those who, in turn, use the MetroCard on the PATH train You cannot replace it with an OMNY card. Instead, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates this system, introduced a different card called TAPP. Despite it, PATH stations continue to accept digital wallets and credit and debit cards.
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