NEW YORK (AP) — When the MetroCard replaced the New York City subway token in 1994, the swipeable card introduced modernity to one of the world’s oldest transit systems. However, after over three decades, the iconic yellow card is set to retire, with the last day for purchases and refills on December 31, 2025.
Transit officials report that more than 90% of subway and bus trips are currently paid using OMNY, a contactless payment system initiated in 2019, which allows commuters to tap their credit cards or smartphones to pay their fares, similar to other cashless transactions.
Much like major global cities such as London and Singapore, various U.S. cities are adapting similar systems, aiming for efficiency and convenience. As the MTA transitions to OMNY, they highlight anticipated annual savings of at least $20 million linked to MetroCard operations.
The MetroCard significantly transformed how New Yorkers commuted. In a recent exhibit at the New York Transit Museum, curator Jodi Shapiro noted how MetroCards represented a turning point from the traditional tokens, introducing a new wave of thinking for city dwellers.
Despite the modernization, many longtime users express nostalgia for the MetroCard era. Veterans of New York's subway system recall the card's quirks and its iconic designs that often commemorated significant cultural moments, such as the Subway Series between the Mets and the Yankees and influential figures in music and art.
The transition to OMNY has met with mixed reactions; while some embrace the convenience of a tap-to-pay system, others worry about the implications of data collection and accessibility for older populations. As new machines take center stage, some riders, particularly seniors, struggle to adapt to the technology, prompting concerns about their inclusion in this new digital age. Still, as New Yorkers learn to navigate this change, many are hopeful that, like the MetroCard, their new means of transportation will also become a symbol of the city's resilience and evolution.
