Introduction to MetroCard Holdouts
These New Yorkers are among the last of a vanishing breed who swear by the swipe or the dip of a MetroCard. With the MTA in a transition to full OMNY tap-and-go technology, transit officials said Monday that one-third of last month’s 146 million subway and bus riders remain MetroCard loyalists — even with sales of the yellow and blue fare cards set to end Dec. 31.
Reasons for Loyalty
“It’s not that we can’t accept change,” Margoth Moreno, 60, told THE CITY after swiping her MetroCard Tuesday at the 96th Street station along the 1, 2 and 3 lines. “It’s just that we don’t want to make the change — like me.” Even as the holdouts realize the MetroCard’s days are numbered, they hold on to the plastic fare cards that were initially introduced in January 1994 at two Lower Manhattan stations as the eventual successor to subway tokens, which took their final turnstile drops in May 2004.
The Comfort of Familiarity
“I’m just not where I need to be yet in terms of feeling comfortable with OMNY,” said Juan Mendez, 49, who swiped his way past a turnstile at Times Square-42nd Street. “The MetroCard is a hard habit to break.” Transit officials acknowledged as much during a series of presentations about the MTA’s lengthy transition to tap-and-go fare payments, which can be made through mobile devices, bank cards or physical OMNY cards sold in station vending machines and at some stores.
Adaptation to Change
“We hear from some of our customers, a small share, that having a physical fare media card is important to them,” said Jessie Lazarus, MTA deputy chief of commercial ventures. “And so these customers are going to keep using a MetroCard until an OMNY machine reaches their station and we pull the MetroCard machine out.” That process hit a milestone over the weekend in Queens, when the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue/74th Street, Court Square and 21st Street-Queensbridge stations became the first to be stripped entirely of MetroCard vending machines removed in favor of machines that allow riders to buy or refill OMNY cards. A rider uses a MetroCard machine next to an OMNY one at the Brooklyn Bridge station, April 30, 2025. Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY
The Transition Process
More than 670 OMNY vending machines are presently installed in 325 stations, according to the MTA, which is aiming to have 40% fewer machines with the new system than it does with MetroCards, given the increased number of ways to pay for rides. “We’re teaching customers how to buy and reload OMNY cards at these vending machines,” Lazarus said. “But we’re also informing them that with OMNY cards, now they can reload their cards online or at one of our local business retail partners when picking up a prescription at the pharmacy or buying milk at the bodega.”
The Last Days
The Final Countdown
At the Jackson Heights hub on Tuesday morning, customer service workers guided confused riders trying to acclimate to using OMNY for the first time or buying tap-and-go cards from new-look vending machines. Still, skeptics abound among the devoted MetroCard users. “I would rather have the MetroCard than the OMNY because I tried it before and I had a lot of problems,” said Roberto Gonzalez, 70, after swiping into the station with a MetroCard.
Benefits of OMNY
Transit officials on Monday highlighted OMNY’s increasing usage, pointing out how tap-and-go usage in the subway hit 70% in March — up from 43% two years earlier. Similarly, the share of tap-and-go fare payments on buses was at 59% in March, a 33-point increase from April 2023. “They do this because it’s easy and it saves them time and it saves them money,” Lazarus said. “They’re not waiting at a vending machine line or worrying about how many trips to prepay on a MetroCard.” Luis Ortiz is among the third of New York City Transit riders who remains a MetroCard loyalist, April 29, 2025. Credit: Jose Martinez/THE CITY
Conclusion
The MTA’s transition to OMNY tap-and-go technology marks a significant shift in how New Yorkers pay for their subway and bus rides. While many have adapted to the new system, a loyal group of MetroCard users remains, clinging to the familiarity of their plastic fare cards. As the MTA phases out MetroCard sales and vending machines, these holdouts will eventually have to make the switch to OMNY. However, for now, they will continue to swipe and dip their way through the city’s transit system.
FAQs
Q: What is OMNY?
A: OMNY is the MTA’s new tap-and-go fare payment system, which allows riders to pay for their subway and bus rides using mobile devices, bank cards, or physical OMNY cards.
Q: Why are some riders still using MetroCards?
A: Some riders prefer the familiarity of MetroCards and are hesitant to switch to the new OMNY system.
Q: Will MetroCard sales be discontinued?
A: Yes, sales of MetroCards are set to end on December 31.
Q: Can I still use my MetroCard after December 31?
A: Yes, you can still use your existing MetroCard balance, but you will not be able to purchase new MetroCards.
Q: How do I get an OMNY card?
A: You can purchase an OMNY card at station vending machines or at some stores, or you can use your mobile device or bank card to pay for your rides.
