MetroCard is retiring. As of January 1, 2026, you can no longer buy or refill a MetroCard.
If you still have a valid MetroCard, you can transfer the value to an OMNY Card at a Customer Service Center. The easiest, most flexible way to pay your subway or bus fare is to tap and ride with your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device, or OMNY Card. Tap and ride and you’ll only pay for the subway and local bus rides you take up to a cap of $34 in a 7-day period, as long as you use the same device or contactless card.
You can also spend down the value on your MetroCard before it expires by using it to pay for subway and bus rides.
MetroCard will continue to be accepted into 2026. The exact date when MetroCard will no longer be accepted will be announced later in the year. Remaining balances will be eligible for transfer or reimbursement for two years after the expiration date on the MetroCard….
Last week, I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Assistant Vice President of Communications & Government Affairs Bryant Daniels:
There has been no OMNY vending machine at either Tram Station for at least a week. There is one in the subway. Do you know if there will be any for the Tram?
Just spoke with MTA about OMNY vending machine at the Tram. They referred me to RIOC. I asked if there is a cost to RIOC for installing. MTA said to ask RIOC. Can I get a comment from RIOC on this?
Mr Daniels replied:
We appreciate the MTA providing an OMNY machine for Roosevelt Island residents at the subway station. The system is designed for easy access without an OMNY card as well, and we have shared information with the local business community on how they can become OMNY retailers.
As of now, we don’t know if OMNY vending machines will be installed at the Roosevelt Island Tram stations.
According to the MTA:
Using an OMNY Card
… OMNY Cards are now available at subway stations throughout New York City and at select retail locations. An OMNY Card can be filled using cash at nearby retailers and vending machines in stations, so you don’t need a bank card or device to take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of tap and ride.
An OMNY Card works the same as a contactless credit or debit card—all you have to do is tap and ride. You can also use an OMNY Card to take advantage of our fare-capping program.
About OMNY vending machines
You can buy or reload an OMNY Card at vending machines in any subway station. As a limited-time introductory offer, you can buy a new reloadable card for $1. That’s the same price as a new MetroCard, even though OMNY Cards last for years.
You can also buy a new Single-Ride OMNY ticket for $3.25. You can pay with cash, a credit or debit card, or a smart device. This ticket is only valid for two hours after purchase. A free bus-to-bus transfer is included, but you can’t transfer between the subway and bus with a Single-Ride ticket….
Say farewell to the Metro Card.
There is still a Metro Card only turnstyle at the Roosevelt Island Tram station.
Once again, the MTA treats Islanders like 2nd class citizens
just curious, why is there a Metrocard only turnstyle? I thought during the transition from Metrocard to OMNY that nearly all turnstyles could handle both Metrocard and OMNY. So, why would it be so hard to … just maintain that instead?
right now, at least during certain peak traffic periods, this does unnecessarily slow down how fast folks can enter the tram waiting area?