MetroCard is officially retiring in 2026. From now on, the fastest and cheapest way to ride the subway, buses, PATH, AirTrain JFK, and Roosevelt Island Tram is OMNY – the contactless payment system.

This page explains everything you need in plain English (updated December 2025).

1. What is OMNY?

OMNY = One Metro New York. You simply tap your phone, smart watch, or contactless card on the round black reader at every turnstile and bus.

No more swiping. No more paper tickets.

2. What Can You Tap? (2026)

• iPhone or Apple Watch (Apple Pay / Express Transit)
• Android phone or Wear OS watch (Google Pay)
• Contactless credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
• OMNY physical card (buy at subway stations or stores – $5 + load)

3. 2026 NYC Subway fare and Fare Cap

Pay-as-you-go automatically gives you the best possible fare:

• After 12 paid rides in 7 days (Mon–Sun) with the same device/card → all remaining rides that week are FREE
• That’s effectively a $35 unlimited 7-day pass (single ride = $3.00 in Dec 2025)
• Cap works across subway + local buses + Staten Island Railway

The fare is $3 for most riders on subways. Tap and ride caps your weekly subway and local bus fares at $35 when you tap the same card or device for every ride.

4. How to Register (Optional but Recommended)

1. Go to omny.info or download the OMNY app
2. Create account & add your card/device
3. Benefits: see ride history, get refunds if overcharged, protect balance if phone lost

5. Reduced Fare & Special Cases

• Senior (65+) & disabled → 50% off if you apply for Reduced-Fare OMNY card
• Students → Free or half-fare OMNY card via school
• PATH + AirTrain JFK now accept OMNY too (separate $8.50 AirTrain fee still applies)

6. Step-by-Step: First Ride with Your Phone

1. Double-click side button (iPhone) or hold watch/back of Android to wake wallet
2. Tap on the OMNY reader – green check + “Go”
3. That’s it – no need to unlock phone if Express Transit is on

7. Pair This Guide With the New Map

Now that you know how to pay, grab the latest routes:

→ NYC Subway Map 2025 – Official Updated Version + Download

Frequently Asked Questions (Dec 2025)

• Do I still need a MetroCard? Only until mid-2026 on some buses. After that → OMNY only.
• Can family members share one phone? No – each rider needs their own device/card for the cap.
• Does it work offline? Yes – tap works even with no signal.

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