The Last Day of the MetroCard
January 1, 2026
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officially ceased selling its iconic blue and yellow MetroCards on January 1, 2026. These tokens, a staple of New York City transit for decades, have now been replaced by the newer tap-to-pay OMNY system. The New York Times marked the transition by taking the MetroCard for one final ride across all transit lines that still accepted it.
This transition represents a significant shift in how New Yorkers pay for their daily commutes, moving away from physical cards to contactless payment methods. As the MetroCard era ends, commuters are encouraged to adapt to the new system, which promises greater convenience and speed.
Follow topics and authors to learn more about this story and receive updates on transit innovations.