Overview
- The MTA confirms Dec. 31, 2025 is the last day to buy or reload a MetroCard, with the final turnstile swipe cutoff date still to be announced.
- MetroCards with remaining value remain valid for travel through June 2026, and unused balances are eligible for transfer or refund for two years from the card’s printed expiration date.
- OMNY tap-and-ride accepts mobile wallets, contactless credit and debit cards, and OMNY cards that can be purchased and reloaded at roughly 2,700 retail locations.
- The weekly fare cap grants free rides after $34 in seven days only when every trip is paid with the same payment method, and switching cards or wallets resets the count.
- The MTA warns of a brief delay after a first tap as banks authorize a payment method, and OMNY has been live across subways and local buses since 2019 with a dedicated app reported for 2026.