It’s been hinted at for years, but now it’s almost here:
MetroCard sales will end after December 31, 2025.
Starting January 1, 2026, riders will no longer be able to buy or refill a MetroCard at vending machines or station booths. The familiar green machines are being phased out in favor of the newer silver OMNY machines.
But that doesn’t mean MetroCards instantly stop working.
“MetroCards will continue to be accepted into 2026, but you will no longer be able to buy or refill a MetroCard. We recommend that you spend down the value on your MetroCard before it expires, but remaining balances will be eligible for transfer or reimbursement for two years after the expiration date.”
Full-fare and Reduced-Fare customers will be able to transfer value from a MetroCard to an OMNY card at designated Customer Service Centers and Mobile Sales vehicles.
Why It’s Happening
The MTA says that more than 90% of riders now use OMNY, tapping with:
- A contactless credit or debit card
- Apple Pay / Google Wallet / smartwatch
- A reloadable OMNY card
With usage that high, the MetroCard’s days were numbered. It joins the transit token as another chapter in NYC fare history.
The MTA Is Giving MetroCard a Farewell Tour
This isn’t a quiet phase-out — the MTA is turning the final months of the MetroCard into a citywide celebration.
According to the MTA’s MetroCard Farewell announcement, riders can expect:
- Pop-up events and activations in stations
- Future MetroCard merch drops
- Partnerships with cultural institutions — including the New York Transit Museum, which will host an upcoming museum exhibit dedicated to the iconic card.
- Some of our favorite New Yorkers saying goodbye to the MetroCard.
Timeline
| December 31, 2025 | Last day MetroCards are sold or refilled |
| 2026 | MetroCards still work — the final acceptance date will be announced later. |
| Up to 2 years after card expiration | Balance transfer/refund window |
Final Thought
The MetroCard has been part of everyday New York life since the ’90s — tucked into wallets, wedged between phone cases, and swiped thousands of times a year. But transit evolves, and OMNY is now the default.
If you still have a MetroCard with value on it, now’s the time to start using it up — or save it as a piece of NYC history.
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