What’s going on
- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has retired the MetroCard on the subway. Riders now pay with OMNY, which uses “tap-and-go” readers at turnstiles.
- OMNY accepts contactless credit and debit cards, smartphones, and smartwatches. Riders can also use an OMNY card, a reloadable option for people who don't want to use a bank card or phone.
- Introduced in the early 1990s, MetroCard became the standard way to enter the system. It used magnetic stripes and required a swipe at the turnstile.
- OMNY has been rolling out across the subway and bus network for several years. The MTA has installed readers, expanded where OMNY works, and reduced reliance on MetroCard vending and swipe equipment.
- The change affects millions of trips across New York City's subway network. It also affects the people who manage stations, maintain turnstiles, and run the fare-collection back end.
- Transit officials say the shift is meant to speed boarding and modernize payment technology. Riders are being directed to OMNY cards and retail locations where those cards can be bought and reloaded.
Why it matters
- The switch changes the day-to-day experience for riders. Tap payments are typically faster than swipes and reduce problems tied to worn magnetic stripes and card readers.
- It also matters for riders who are unbanked or don't use smartphones. Those riders now need to rely on OMNY cards and cash-reload options, which depend on availability and convenience in their neighborhoods.
- The move increases reliance on a system that collects more digital transaction data than a swipe card. It also shifts maintenance priorities from MetroCard machines and readers to contactless hardware and networked systems.