As of January 1, 2026, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City will cease selling the iconic yellow MetroCard and transition to the new OMNY contactless payment system. This change has left many elderly residents in New York City feeling uneasy and unsettled about the switch.
Earlier this month, a group of New Yorkers braved the harsh cold weather in Manhattan’s Upper East Side to queue up, eagerly waiting to exchange their MetroCards for the new OMNY subway card. After approximately half an hour of waiting, they were finally allowed into the MTA mobile service van parked on the street, where they sought assistance from the staff on transferring any remaining balance from their old MetroCard to the new OMNY card.
However, the process was not as straightforward as anticipated. Since many elderly individuals use discounted cards with their photos printed on them, they were unable to complete the transfer at the mobile service van and had to personally visit the MTA customer service center in downtown.
Approximately 1.5 million seniors citywide participate in the MTA’s half-price discount program, with many expressing to Gothamist reporters that they are struggling to adapt to the digital-centric OMNY system.
Some seniors are concerned that by linking the card to bank accounts or credit cards, if their OMNY card is lost or stolen, their accounts could be vulnerable to fraudulent charges. Additionally, some elderly passengers mentioned that they will miss the personal photo feature on the MetroCard, as cards without photos are more susceptible to being picked up and misused by others.
Advocacy groups have pointed out that for some individuals with disabilities, OMNY may not be a feasible alternative. For example, passengers using the Access-A-Ride paratransit service were able to use paper tickets in the past, which was especially convenient for those with mobility or hand function impairments. For individuals who struggle to operate cards, phones, or apps, the switch to a contactless system presents significant challenges.
Even for elderly passengers who successfully transition to OMNY, there are lingering concerns. Some seniors remain skeptical of MTA’s “fare capping” policy, which stipulates that using the same card or device (phone/credit card/OMNY card) for trips on the New York City subway and buses within a seven-day period will result in a maximum charge equivalent to 12 single fares. However, the OMNY system operates on a rolling seven-day cycle starting from the first card tap, rather than a fixed Monday to Sunday timeframe, confusing some elderly passengers accustomed to the old weekly pass system.