One of the first things I did when I arrived in New York was to buy my yellow MetroCard so I could explore the city like a true New Yorker.
With the news that OMNY readers, which allow New Yorkers and tourists to "tap to pay" for their journey instead of swiping the iconic MetroCard, have been officially installed in all New York subway stations, I believe the era of the little yellow ones is coming to an end.
The MTA announced the news on New Year's Eve, saying it had finished the launch on time, even with the pandemic.
OMNY was officially launched in May 2019 and since then more than 35 million "taps" have been registered. Customers can simply tap their bank cards or phones (which have digital wallets) on the OMNY reader when entering the station, instead of having to buy a MetroCard from the machine and add money to it. The new system, as well as being more practical and convenient for passengers, is also more environmentally friendly.
The recently completed "phase 1" of the multi-year OMNY project includes more than 15,000 OMNY readers in all 472 stations, on all 5,800 buses and on the Staten Island Railway. This is followed by Metro North and the LIRR, which are due to receive OMNY in 2022. The MTA has also started a new marketing program called "Tap On, Get On", which will help educate users about exactly how the new process works.
For those who don't have a smartphone, they can buy an OMNY card - a contactless fare card - in retail stores and sales throughout the region later this year. They will also be available for cash purchase, for those without a credit card. During this year as well, the MTA said it will introduce reduced fares for senior customers and passengers with disabilities and begin integrating OMNY with paratransit services.
New York's classic yellow MetroCards will be completely phased out in 2023, although you can still use the cards until then.
Our suggestion? Keep your expired MetroCard as they will soon become a relic and an object of curiosity for new generations!
