New York City Retires MetroCard as It Transitions to Contactless OMNY System
New York City is retiring the MetroCard starting at midnight on January 1, 2026, coinciding with Zohran Mamdani's inauguration as the city's new mayor. The longstanding MetroCard, which has been in use since 1994 replacing subway tokens, will no longer be sold, marking the end of an era that lasted about three decades. Despite its retirement from sale, the card will still be accepted for some time during a transition period in 2026.
The MetroCard became iconic over the years, featuring commemorative editions and appearances alongside celebrities such as David Bowie, Olivia Rodrigo, Wu-Tang Clan, Notorious B.I.G., and LL Cool J, as well as TV shows like Seinfeld and Law & Order. However, it had its drawbacks, including a sensitive magnetic strip prone to reading failures and delays when many riders swiped simultaneously.
A symbolic funeral for the MetroCard was held on December 30, 2025, at Washington Square Park where attendees chanted "swipe" to honor the device. New York Transit Museum curator Jodi Shapiro described the MetroCard as revolutionary and a turning point in the way New Yorkers approached public transit, marking a significant upgrade from the earlier token era that ended decades before the MetroCard's introduction.
The city is transitioning to OMNY, a contactless fare system that allows riders to tap credit cards, smartphones, or other devices for fare payment, signaling a move toward a more modern and efficient transit experience.
