New York subway ends its MetroCard era and switches fully to tap-and-go fares

"When the MetroCard replaced the New York City subway token in 1994, the swipeable plastic card infused much-needed modernity into one of the world's oldest and largest transit systems. Now, more than three decades later, the gold-hued fare card and its notoriously finicky magnetic strip are following the token into retirement. The last day to buy or refill a MetroCard is Dec. 31, 2025, as the transit system fully transitions to OMNY, a contactless payment system that allows riders to tap their credit card, phone or other smart device to pay fares, much like they do for other everyday purchases."

"MetroCards upended how New Yorkers commute The humble MetroCard may have outlasted its useful life, but in its day it was revolutionary, says Jodi Shapiro, curator at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, which opened an exhibit earlier this month reflecting on the MetroCard's legacy. Before MetroCards, bus and subway riders relied on tokens, the brass-colored coins introduced in 1953 that were purchased from station booths. When the subway opened in 1904, paper tickets cost just a nickel, or about $1.82 in today's dollars."

The MetroCard, introduced in 1994, modernized fare payment for New York City's subway and buses with a swipeable plastic card. The magnetic-strip gold-hued card is being phased out as the system transitions to OMNY, a contactless tap-to-pay platform that accepts credit cards, phones, and smart devices. The last day to buy or refill MetroCards is Dec. 31, 2025. Transit officials report that more than 90% of subway and bus trips now use tap-and-go, a system introduced in 2019. Other major global cities and several U.S. transit systems have adopted similar contactless payments. The New York Transit Museum opened an exhibit examining the MetroCard's legacy and the earlier token and paper-ticket eras.

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