New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has officially announced changes to ticket prices and policies that will take effect from January 4, 2026, marking a significant shift in the way transportation payments are made with the full implementation of the contactless payment system “OMNY”, replacing the traditional magnetic stripe MetroCard by the end of 2025. The new plan covers fare structures, payment methods, and weekly ticket discounts, providing clearer guidance for public commuting.
According to the MTA announcement, MetroCards will cease to be sold or recharged as of December 31, 2025. Beyond 2026, passengers will still be able to use their existing MetroCards to enter the subway during a transition period, but will not be able to purchase new cards or reload them. To safeguard passenger rights, MTA will provide balance transfer or refund mechanisms and set up customer service centers and mobile service vehicles to assist the public in the transition process.
In terms of fares, MTA explains that the base fare for subways and local buses will be adjusted to $3, with a reduced fare of $1.50; the express bus fare will be $7.25. Furthermore, the OMNY system will officially take on the function of the “weekly pass,” adopting a 7-day fare capping system: once the total payment with the same payment tool (such as an OMNY card, contactless credit card, or mobile wallet) reaches $35 within seven days, any additional trips for that week will not incur extra charges; for passengers with reduced fares, the weekly fare cap will be set at $17.50.
MTA emphasizes that the “Tap and Ride” feature of the OMNY system allows passengers to directly enter the station with a digital wallet, contactless credit card, or debit card, or OMNY physical card without the need to pre-purchase tickets or queue up for top-ups, significantly enhancing commuting efficiency. MTA points out that this system not only replaces traditional swipe cards but also makes riding more flexible, particularly suitable for passengers with irregular commuting frequencies.