As of January 2026, OMNY (One Metro New York) is now the only payment system for the New York City subway and buses. MetroCards can no longer be purchased or refilled; OMNY has fully replaced them. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveller, this guide covers everything you need to know about paying your fare in New York City.
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What is OMNY?
OMNY is a contactless payment system that replaced the MetroCard entirely in January 2026, allowing riders to pay for their fares on the New York City subway system using a contactless card or mobile device. Instead of buying a separate transit card, you simply tap any contactless credit or debit card, smartphone (Apple Pay/Google Pay), wearable device, or a dedicated OMNY Card at the turnstile. The system is now available at every subway station, bus, Staten Island Railway, and Roosevelt Island Tramway across New York City.
How can I use OMNY?
You do NOT need to buy anything before riding. Simply tap your existing contactless credit or debit card at any turnstile, you’re charged $3.00 per ride automatically. No registration, no app, no MetroCard needed.
Where is OMNY available?
As of December 31, 2020, all subway stations and MTA buses were equipped with OMNY readers. Since January 2026, OMNY has been the only accepted payment method for new fare payments across the entire system, including all subway stations in all five boroughs, all local and express buses, the Staten Island Railway, and the Roosevelt Island Tramway.
How much does OMNY cost?
| Fare Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Single subway/local bus ride | $3.00 |
| Express bus | $7.25 |
| Reduced fare (seniors/disabilities) | $1.50 |
| Single Ride OMNY ticket | $3.50 (valid 2 hours) |
| New OMNY card | $1 (introductory) / $2 later in 2026 |
💡 The Fare Cap replaces the unlimited MetroCard:
The 7-day and 30-day unlimited MetroCards no longer exist. Instead, OMNY has an automatic rolling fare cap:
- Pay for 12 rides in any 7 days → all additional rides are FREE. Maximum weekly spend: $35.
- Express bus riders: maximum $67/week for unlimited express bus + subway + local bus.
- Reduced-fare customers: maximum $17.50/week.
- The 7-day period starts with your first tap — not Monday to Sunday.
- Unused balance rolls over, no more “use it or lose it”.
This system is better than the old unlimited MetroCard for most visitors because you only pay for what you use, and you’re automatically capped.
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OMNY is no longer “new”; it is now the complete replacement for MetroCards across all of New York City’s transit system. For visitors, the simplest approach is to tap your contactless credit or debit card directly at any turnstile, no setup required, no card to buy. Your fare is automatically capped at $35 per week, so there’s no risk of overpaying. If you prefer a dedicated transit card, pick up an OMNY card at any subway station vending machine for $1.
One final tip: always use the same card or device for every tap to ensure free transfers between subway and bus, and to benefit from the weekly fare cap.
Frequently Asked Questions for the OMNY System
OMNY (One Metro New York) is the contactless payment system that replaced MetroCards on the NYC subway and buses in 2026. Riders tap any contactless credit/debit card, smartphone, or OMNY card at turnstiles to pay their fare. No MetroCard or registration needed.
The standard subway and local bus fare is $3.00 per ride as of January 2026. Express buses cost $7.25. Reduced fare for seniors and people with disabilities is $1.50.
As of January 1, 2026, MetroCards can no longer be purchased or refilled. Existing cards with a remaining balance can still be used until expiry. Balances can be transferred to an OMNY card at any Customer Service Center for up to two years after the card’s expiration date.
The 7-day and 30-day unlimited MetroCards were discontinued. They have been replaced by OMNY’s automatic fare cap, pay for 12 rides in any 7 days and all additional rides are free. Maximum weekly cost: $35 for full-fare riders.
No. You can simply tap any contactless credit or debit card, or smartphone with Apple Pay/Google Pay. If you prefer a dedicated card, OMNY cards are available at any subway station vending machine for $1.
Yes. OMNY works on all MTA buses across all five boroughs, including local, express, and Select Bus Service routes, as well as the Staten Island Railway and Roosevelt Island Tramway.
After paying for 12 rides in any 7 days (starting from your first tap), all additional subway and local bus rides are free for the rest of those 7 days. The maximum weekly spend is $35. Always use the same card or device to ensure the cap applies correctly.
