Will This Be A New Yorker’s Collector’s Item By 2026?

I'm not sure why the news of this upcoming phase out is hitting me so hard. I'm not someone that uses subway travel regularly, and to be very honest, the New York City subway system as a whole is more confusing to me than quantum physics.

Yet still it feels like a piece of us, as New Yorkers, will soon be gone.

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So Long, Metro Card...

A few weeks ago I spent a few days in NYC for a work conference, and must admit, I was mortified when my card didn't register on the first pass through, especially as I struggled to get through the turnstile with my luggage on wheels and backpack - yes it was everything you're imagining it was.

What I did notice, though, going through the turnstile, is that I was one of very few actually still using a paper MetroCard, many people were using something on their phones to pay for subway fare.

Now, just a few weeks later, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced that the same of MetroCards will end on December 31st following 32 years of use (remember subway tokens before that?), and an app-based system will be its replacement.

First introduced in 2019, the OMNY contactless tap-and-go-system which uses your digital wallet, will be the primary means of payment to ride the subway. The New York Times reports that the switch from MetroCard to OMNY is said to save the MTA at least $20 million a year, this according to MTA CEO Janno Lieber.

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OMNY Integration in NYC

The New York Times reports that 65% of subway riders are already utilizing OMNY, sharing that CEO Lieber indicated 'It’s time to say goodbye to the MetroCard and go all-in on the fare payment system of the future.' Lieber also shared that OMNY will 'open the door' for discounts and promotions, alleging to put money back in riders' pockets.

Riders are able to purchase an OMNY card for a single dollar, load funds online, or in person at subway stations or 'thousands of retail locations.' NYT has indicated that the OMNY vending machines will be installed for use at all 472 subway stations by fall 2025.

So, moral of the story, hang onto those old MetroCards, you can tell the grandkids 'back in my day....' stories in no time at all.