MetroCard era ends: Last day to buy NYC Transit Cards is Dec. 31

The MTA has announced that MetroCard sales and distribution will officially end on December 31, 2025, marking the end of more than three decades of the iconic swipe-fare system as New York City fully transitions to the OMNY contactless tap-to-ride payment system.  Starting in 2026, MetroCards will no longer be sold — riders will use OMNY on phones, credit/debit cards, or OMNY cards to pay subway and bus fares. The MTA says the switch streamlines payments and unlocks fare-capping benefits, but collectors and longtime riders may miss the classic MetroCard swipe.