New York Subway will refuse MetroCard: why and when

OMNY readers, which allow New Yorkers to pay for public transit without contact, instead of swiping with the legendary MetroCard, are now installed in every subway station in New York. This means that MetroCard is becoming obsolete, writes Secret nyc.

The OMNY program was officially launched in New York in May 2019, and has since recorded over 35 million travel uses. Customers can simply bring their bank cards or phones (with digital wallets) to the OMNY reader when entering a station, instead of buying a MetroCard and adding money to it. The MTA (New York Transportation Administration) says it's much more convenient for passengers and better for the environment.

The recently completed first phase of the OMNY project involved the installation of more than 15 OMNY readers at all 000 metro stations in the metropolis, on all 472 buses and the Staten Island railroad.

Next, according to the project, are Metro North and LIRR, where OMNY readers are expected to be installed in 2022. The MTA also recently launched a new marketing program called "Tap On, Get On," which will educate New Yorkers on how to use these vending machines.

“This is a great day for the MTA,” said Patrick J. Foy, Chairman and CEO of MTA.

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Those who do not have a smartphone with an e-wallet or a suitable bank card can purchase the OMNY card, a contactless travel card. They will soon be available at outlets and vending machines throughout the city. Also this year, MTA intends to introduce reduced fares for seniors and passengers with disabilities into the OMNY program. Prior to that, she worked only to pay the full fare, excluding benefits.

But what will happen to the legendary MetroCards? The MTA said they will be phased out completely by 2023, and until then you can still use them.