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MetroCard Sales End Dec. 31 as New York Transit Completes Shift to OMNY in 2026

Fares move to a $3 single ride on Jan. 4 with a $34 weekly cap after 12 taps.

Overview

  • MetroCards will still work for a limited transition in 2026 but cannot be reloaded, and remaining balances can be transferred or refunded for up to two years after expiration.
  • OMNY already accounts for roughly 90% of daily trips and supports taps from phones, contactless bank cards, or a physical OMNY card across subways, MTA buses, the Staten Island Railway, and AirTrain JFK.
  • OMNY vending and reload machines are deployed in 472 subway stations, with additional sales and reload options at participating retailers such as convenience and pharmacy chains.
  • Reports differ on the retail price of the physical OMNY card, with some outlets citing about $1 and others about $5, and the articles do not resolve the discrepancy.
  • As sales wind down, MetroCards have begun appearing online as collectibles, with listings on eBay starting around $5.