MetroCard

For similarly named cards, seeMetroCard (disambiguation).For a general discussion of fares on transportation in New York City, seeNew York City transit fares.

TheMetroCardis amagnetic stripe cardused forfarepayment ontransportation in the New York City area.It is a payment method for theNew York City Subway(including theStaten Island Railway),New York City Transitbuses andMTA buses.The MetroCard is also accepted by several partner agencies:Nassau Inter-County Express(NICE), thePATHtrain system, theRoosevelt Island Tramway,AirTrain JFK,and Westchester County'sBee-Line Bus System.

MetroCard

Location	New York City,United States
Launched	1993
Successor	OMNY
Technology	Magnetic stripe
Operator	Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Manager	Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Currency	USD($100maximum load)
Stored-value	Pay-Per-Ride
Auto recharge	EasyPayXPress
Unlimited use	Unlimited Ride
Validity	Rail: AirTrain JFK New York City Subway PATH Staten Island Railway Bus: Bee-Line Hudson Rail Link MTA New York City Bus and MTA Bus Nassau Inter-County Express Other: Roosevelt Island Tramway
Retailed	Vending machines Stations Online MetroCard buses and vans Authorized merchants
Variants	SingleRide Reduced-Fare Student
Website	http://web.mta.info/metrocard

The MetroCard was introduced in 1993 to enhance the technology of the transit system and eliminate the burden of carrying and collectingtokens.The MTA discontinued the use of tokens in the subway on May 3, 2003,and on buses on December 31, 2003.

The MetroCard is expected to be phased out by 2025.It will be replaced byOMNY,acontactless paymentsystem where riders pay for their fare by waving or tapping credit or debitbank cards,smartphones,or MTA-issuedsmart cards.

The MetroCard is managed by a division of the MTA known as Revenue Control, MetroCard Sales, which is part of the Office of the Executive Vice President. The MetroCard Vending Machines are manufactured byCubic Transportation Systems, Inc.

As of early 2019, the direct costs of the MetroCard system had totaled $1.5 billion.

History and fares

The idea for a farecard with a magnetic strip for the MTA system was proposed in 1983. It was the "highest priority" for then-MTA ChairmanRichard Ravitch.The card would replace the tokens that were, at the time, used to pay transit fares.This plan was generally supported by the public.In 1984, Ravitch's successorBob Kileysaid that he would try to create a system for the new farecards within the next four years.However, bureaucratic actions and disagreements delayed the rollout of the system. In March 1990, the MTA board voted to allocate funding for the magnetic fare collection system.Three months later, the New York state legislature voted to allow the MTA to proceed for its plans for the new system.By 1991, the token technology was becoming dated: almost all other transit systems were using magnetic farecards, which were found to be much cheaper than the token system.In July of that year, the MTA board approved the roll-out of the magnetic farecard system.The MTA opened a request for bids to furnish and operate the farecard system, andCubic Transportation Systemsoffered the lowest bid at $100 million.

On October 30, 1992, the installation of Automated Fare Collection turnstiles began.The farecard system was given the name MetroCard by April 1993. At the time, the first subway stations were supposed to receive MetroCard-compatible turnstiles before year's end, and buses were scheduled to be retrofitted with MetroCard collection equipment by late 1995.On June 1, 1993, MTA distributed 3,000 MetroCards in the first major test of the technology for the entire subway and bus systems.Less than a year later, on January 6, 1994, MetroCard-compatibleturnstilesopened atWall Streeton theIRT Le xing ton Avenue Line(4and ​5trains) andWhitehall Street–South Ferryon theBMT Broadway Line(N,​R,and ​Wtrains).All MetroCard turnstiles were installed by May 14, 1997, when the entire bus and subway system accepted MetroCard.

On September 28, 1995, buses on Staten Island started accepting MetroCard, and by the end of 1995, MetroCard was accepted on all New York City Transit buses.

Before 1997, the MetroCard design was blue with yellow lettering. These blue cards are nowcollector's items.On July 4, 1997, the first free transfers were made available between bus and subway at any location with MetroCard. This program was originally billed as MetroCard Gold. Card colors changed to the current blue lettering on goldenrod background.On January 1, 1998, bonus free rides (10% of the purchase amount) were given for purchases of $15 or more.On July 4, six months later, 7-Day and 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCards were introduced, at $17 and $63 respectively.A 30-day Express Bus Plus MetroCard, allowing unlimited rides on express buses in addition to local buses and the subway, was also introduced at $120.The 1-Day Fun Pass was introduced on January 1, 1999, at a cost of $4.The debut of the MetroCard allowed the MTA to add bonus fare incentives, such as free bus transfers to other buses or subways. Half of the ridership increase between 1997 and 1999 was attributed to these incentives.

The firstMetroCard Vending Machines(MVMs) were installed on January 25, 1999, in two stations,and by the end of 1999 347 MVMs were in service at 74 stations.On April 13, 2003, tokens were no longer sold.Starting May 4, 2003, tokens were no longer accepted, except on buses. The following fare increases were implemented:

• Base fareincreased from $1.50 to $2.00
• 1-Day UnlimitedMetroCard fare increased from $4 to $7
• 7-Day UnlimitedMetroCard fare increased from $17 to $21
• 30-day Express Bus Pluswas replaced with a 7-day Express Bus Plus card, which cost $33 each.
• 30-Day UnlimitedMetroCard fare increased from $63 to $70
• The bonus for pay-per-ride increased to 20% of the purchase amount for purchases of $10 or more
• Tokens would be phased out, but for the next two months they acted as $1.50 credit towards a $2 bus ride.

On February 27, 2005, another fare hike occurred:

• 7-day Express Bus Plusincreased by $8, to $41.
• 7-Day Unlimitedincreased by $3, to $24.
• 30-Day Unlimitedincreased by $6, to $76.

On April 1, 2007, MetroCard started to be accepted by the WestchesterBee-Line Bus Systemas all of its buses were now equipped with new fareboxes that could accept MetroCard.

On March 2, 2008, another set of fare increases was implemented:

• 1-Day Unlimitedfare increased by 50 cents, to $7.50.
• 7-Day Unlimitedfare increased by $1, to $25.
• 14-Day Unlimitedwas introduced for $47.
• 30-Day Unlimitedincreased by $5, to $81.
• The bonus for pay-per-ride decreased to 15% of the purchase amount for purchases of $7 or more.

On June 28, 2009, the agency had its second fare hike in as many years:

• Thebase fareandsingle-ride ticketincreased by 25 cents, to $2.25.
• 1-Day Unlimitedfare increased by 75 cents, to $8.25.
• 7-Day Unlimitedfare increased by $7, to $27.
• 7-Day Express Bus Plusfare increased by $4, to $45.
• 14-Day Unlimitedfare increased by $4.50, to $51.50.
• 30-Day Unlimitedincreased by $8, to $89.
• The minimum purchase for a pay-per-ride bonus rose to $8.

On December 30, 2010, the bonus value for Pay-Per-Ride decreased to 7% for every $10, and the 1-Day Fun Pass and the 14-Day Unlimited Ride were discontinued altogether. Additionally:

• 7-Day Unlimitedfare increased by $2, to $29.
• 7-Day Express Bus Plusfare increased by $5, to $50.
• 30-Day Unlimitedfare increased by $15, to $104.

In 2012, the MTA allowed advertisements to be printed on the fronts of MetroCards. The backs of MetroCards had already been used for advertisements since 1995. This change meant that advertisers could remove the MTA logo from the fronts of MetroCards.

As a result ofHurricane Sandyin October 2012, three free transfers were offered on the MetroCard. The first was between theQ22,theQ35,and the2and ​5trains at theFlatbush Avenue–Brooklyn Collegesubway station.The second between the Q22, either theQ52 Limited or the Q53 Limited,and theAtrain at theRockaway Boulevardstation.Finally, a three-hour transfer window applied from transfers from any subway station to the Q22 orQ113routes of MTA Bus, and then to then31, n32, and n33routes ofNICE.

On December 19, 2012, the MTA voted for the following fare increases:

• Base fareandsingle-ride ticketincreased by 25 cents, to $2.50.
• 7-Day UnlimitedMetroCard fare increased by $1, to $30.
• 30-Day UnlimitedMetroCard fare increased by $8, to $112.
• The bonus for a pay-per-ride MetroCard decreased from 7% to 5% but the cutoff for the bonus decreased from $10 to $5.

Starting February 20, 2013, people were able to refill cards with both time and value, so that when a MetroCard is filled with both an unlimited card and fare value, the unlimited ride portion is used first where applicable. If not started already, the unlimited ride period would begin when the card is next used, and when the unlimited period expires, the regular fare would be charged.On March 3, 2013, a $1 fee was imposed on new card purchases in-system in order to reduce the number of discarded MetroCards. However, MetroCards purchased through the Extended Sales retail network carry no new card fee.

On March 22, 2015, the MTA voted for the following fare increases:

• Base Fareincreased by 25 cents, to $2.75;
• Express Busfare increased, to $6.50;
• 7-Day Unlimitedfare increased by $1, to $31;
• 7-Day Express Bus Plusfare increased by $7.25, to $57.25;
• 30-Day Unlimitedincreased by $4.50, to $116.50;
• Single Ride ticketincreased by 50 cents, to $3.00;and:
• the bonus for a pay-per-ride MetroCard was increased to 11%.

On March 19, 2017, the following fare increases went into place:

• 7-Day Unlimitedfare increased by $1, to $32;
• 7-Day Express Bus Plusfare increased by $2.25, to $59.50;
• 30-Day Unlimitedincreased by $4.50, to $121; and
• the bonus for a pay-per-ride MetroCard was reduced from 11% to 5%.

On October 23, 2017, it was announced that the MetroCard would be phased out and replaced byOMNY,acontactless fare paymentsystem also by Cubic, with fare payment being made usingApple Pay,Google Wallet,debit/credit cards withnear-field communicationenabled, orradio-frequency identificationcards.All buses and subway stations would use the OMNY system by 2020. However, support of the MetroCard is slated to remain until 2023.

In mid-2018, city officials tentatively agreed to start a program in which they would provide half-fare MetroCards to almost 800,000 New York City residents living below the federalpoverty line.The program would start in January 2019, and the New York City allocated $106 million in fiscal year 2019 to subsidize the half-fare MetroCards for at least six months.After uncertainty over whether the program would be implemented,the half-fare MetroCards were rolled out starting on January 4, 2019.Initially, the reduced-fare MetroCards would be rolled out to 30,000 residents, though another 130,000 New Yorkers receivingSNAPbenefits would also be allowed to receive the half-fare MetroCards in April 2019. However, in the revised plan, only a portion of the originally projected 800,000 residents (around 20%) would be eligible for the reduced-fare cards.

On April 21, 2019, the following fare increases went into place:

• Express Busfare increased by 25 cents, to $6.75;
• 7-Day Unlimitedfare increased by $1, to $33;
• 7-Day Express Bus Plusfare increased by $2.50, to $62;
• 30-Day Unlimitedfare increased by $6, to $127; and
• the bonus for a pay-per-ride MetroCard was eliminated.

In August 2023, the following fare increases went into place:

• Base Fareincreased by 15 cents, to $2.90
• Express Busfare increased, to $7.00
• 7-Day Unlimitedfare increased to $34
• 7-Day Express Bus Plusfare increased to $64.00
• 30-Day Unlimitedfare increased to $132
• Single Ride ticketincreased by 25 cents, to $3.25

The MetroCard itself costs $1.

Technology

A NYCTA token

During a swipe, the MetroCard is read, re-written to, then check-read to verify correct encoding.

Select Bus Servicepay shelter for pre-payment of fare before boardingSelect Bus Servicebuses.

Each MetroCardstored value cardis assigned a unique, permanent ten-digitserial numberwhen it is manufactured. The value is storedmagneticallyon the card itself, while the card's transaction history is held centrally in the Automated Fare Collection (AFC)Database.When a card is purchased and fares are loaded onto it, the MetroCard Vending Machine or station agent's computer stores the amount of the purchase onto the card and updates the database, identifying the card by its serial number. Whenever the card is swiped at a turnstile, the value of the card is read, the new value is written, the customer is let through, and then the central database is updated with the new transaction as soon as possible. Cards are not validated in real time against the database when swiped to pay the fare.The AFC Database is necessary to maintain transaction records to track a card if needed. It has actually been used to acquit criminal suspectsby placing them away from thescene of a crime.The database also stores a list of MetroCards that have been invalidated for various reasons. Reasons include the MetroCard being lost, stolen, expired student, or an expired monthly card, and it distributes the list to turnstiles in order to deny access to a revoked card.

The older blue MetroCards were not capable of the many kinds of fare options that the gold ones currently offer. The format of themagnetic stripeused by the blue MetroCard offered very little other than the standard pay-per-swipe fare. Gold MetroCards allow groups of people (up to four) to ride together using a single pay-per-swipe MetroCard. The gold MetroCard keeps track of the number of swipes at a location in order to allow those same number of people to transfer at a subsequent location, if applicable. The MetroCard system was designed to ensurebackward compatibility,which allowed a smooth transition from the blue format to gold.

Cubic later used the proprietary MetroCard platform to create theChicago CardandTren Urbano's fare card, which are physically identical to the MetroCard except for the labeling.

Physical attributes

• Dimensions: 2.125 by 3.375 inches (5.40 cm × 8.57 cm); 10 mils (0.010 in) thickness
• Material: Polyester

Card types

SingleRide Ticket

The SingleRide Ticket (introduced to replacesubway tokensand single cash fares) is a piece of paper with a magnetic strip on the front, and with the date and time of purchase stamped on the back. They cost $3.25 for one subway or local bus ride, with one free transfer allowed between buses, issued by the bus operator upon request. SingleRide Tickets do not allow transfers between subways and buses.SingleRide tickets can only be purchased at MetroCard Vending Machines, which are usually located within subway stations, and expire two hours from time of purchase.Because of these limitations, SingleRide Tickets are not frequently used, having been used by only 3% of subway riders in 2009.

Although the Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard is accepted onPATH,the regular SingleRide ticket is not. However, a PATH SingleRide ticket is available from MVMs in PATH stations for $2.75, valid for 2 hours and only on PATH. PATH also accepts 2-Trip PATH MetroCards, which cost $5.50 and are also valid only on PATH.

Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard

The Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard costs $1, and can be filled with an initial value in any increment between $5.80 and $80, though vending machines only sell values in multiples of 5 cents. Cards can be refilled in 1 cent increments at station booths (formerly called token booths), and in 5 cent increments at vending machines. A MetroCard holder can spend up to $80 in one transaction and up to a total value of $100. Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards can also be filled with unlimited ride time in 7- or 30-day increments.As of 2022, station booths no longer do any MetroCard transactions.

The Pay-Per Ride MetroCard is accepted on the New York City Subway; MTA express, local, limited, andSelectBus Service buses; and the Staten Island Railway. Outside agencies also accept the MetroCard, includingNassau Inter-County Express;thePATH,operated by thePort Authority of New York and New Jersey;theAirTrain JFK,operated by the Port Authority; theRoosevelt Island Tramway;and the Westchester CountyBee-Line Bus System.However, PATH does not accept reduced fare MetroCard.

Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards deduct different values depending on which service is used. Subway, Staten Island Railway, Roosevelt Island Tramway, or local/limited/Select bus uses, cost $2.90 per trip and usually allow one valid transfer, though two transfers may be allowed depending on which routes are being used (see below). Although the PATH charges $2.75 as well, it does not offer any free transfers. A ride on an MTA express bus costs $7.00, with transfers allowed to or from the subway, Staten Island Railway, or non-express MTA buses. The BxM4C Bee-Line Bus deducts $7.50 per trip, and no free or discounted transfers are allowed to or from that route. The AirTrain JFK costs $8.50 per trip if the passenger enters or leaves atJamaicaorHoward Beach–JFK Airportstations.

Transfers are available within two hours of initial entry, with the following structure:

• One free transfer from
  • subway to local bus
  • bus to subway
  • bus to local bus
  • express bus to express bus
  • bus or subway to Staten Island Railway
  • subway to subway between the Le xing ton Avenue–59th Street (4​5​6<6>​N​R​Wtrains) stations and the Le xing ton Avenue–63rd Street (F<F>​Qtrains) station or between Junius Street (3train) station and Livonia Avenue (Ltrain) station
• Two consecutive free transfers are available with the MetroCard for certain transfers. The transfers must be made within two hours of each other (e.g. when one makes the first transfer, they have two hours to make the second transfer).
  • BetweenStaten Island bus routescrossing theStaten Island Railway,through St. George Ferry Terminal, and then any MTA local bus or NYC subway service below Fulton Street in Lower Manhattan.
  • Between certain bus routes as specified inMetroCard § Designated multiple-transfer corridors
• $4.10 for each local bus or subway to express bus transfer.
• Transfers with coins (pennies and half-dollar coins not accepted) are good for use on one connecting local bus route (restrictions apply).
• Customers transferring to suburban buses from another system with a lower base fare must pay the difference between the fare on the first bus and the fare on the second bus.
• No transfers to the BxM4C.
• No free transfer between PATH and NYC Subway, Bus and MTA Bus.
• Up to 4 people can ride together on a single Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard, with one free transfer granted.

Expired card balance may be transferred to a new card at any MetroCard Vending Machine, up to one year after expiration. After one year the card must be sent to the Customer Claims area of the MTA.

EasyPayXPress MetroCard

The EasyPayXPress MetroCard functions like a pay per ride or unlimited MetroCard, but is automatically refilled from a linked credit or debit card. An EasyPayXpress account is opened with either $30 or a 30-day unlimited balance of $121. As of January 2015,another $45 is automatically added for Pay-Per-Ride customers when balance drops below $20. To reduce this, a one-time payment may be made online before the balance drops below $20. All rules for standard pay per ride or unlimited cards apply, and EasyPay customers can review the account and ride usage online. Reduced-fare EasyPay version converts from Pay-Per-Ride to Unlimited rides (during that billing cycle) once the value of fares used meet or exceed the cost of a reduced-fare 30-Day Unlimited Ride card. Express bus fares do not contribute, and EasyPay cannot be used on PATH trains.

AirTrain JFK Discount MetroCard

The AirTrain JFK Discount MetroCard offers 10 trips onAirTrain JFKat $26.50. This card can only be purchased at specially marked MetroCard Vending Machines. It can be refilled, and once done so, becomes a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard.However, although the AirTrain fare is also payable using a regular Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard, no discount is given for Pay-Per-Ride cards.There is also an unlimited-ride 30-day card that costs $40 and is only valid on AirTrain JFK.

Unlimited MetroCard

As of 2023,four types of Unlimited-ride MetroCards are sold:

• 7-Day Unlimited Ride Card, $34for unlimited subway and local bus rides until midnight on the seventh day following first usage.
• 30-Day Unlimited Ride Card, $132for unlimited subway and local bus rides until midnight on the thirtieth day following first usage.
• 7-Day Express Bus Plus Card, $64for unlimited express bus, local bus, and subway rides until midnight on the seventh day following first usage.
• 30-DayAirTrain JFKUnlimited Ride Card, $40 for unlimited trips on the AirTrain (operated by thePort Authority of New York and New Jersey) until midnight on the thirtieth day from first usage. This card can only be purchased at specially marked MetroCard Vending Machines at theHoward Beach–JFK Airport(Atrain) orSutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue–JFK Airport(E​ ​J​Ztrains) stations and at MetroCard vendors in JFK Airport. There are no transfer privileges with this card as it only works on the AirTrain. This is the only unlimited card accepted on the AirTrain.

Any Unlimited Ride Card cannot be used at the same subway station or bus route for 18 minutes after it is swiped. Every MetroCard can be refilled in increments of 7 or 30 days' worth of unlimited ride time, or with pay-per-ride value, but time is used before value unless the time on the card cannot be applied to the ride taken. The 7 Day Express Bus Plus card is the only unlimited card that can be used on express buses. Unlimited rides cannot be applied to non-MTA transit systems such as the PATH or AirTrain JFK; to use these systems that require a value-based fare, riders can load money on their Unlimited Ride MetroCard by selecting "Add Value" when refilling at a MetroCard Vending Machine or at a station booth. Turnstiles for these systems will simply deduct the fare from the value portion of the MetroCard. 30-Day Unlimited and 7-Day Express Bus Plus Cards that are purchased using a credit, debit or ATM card from a MetroCard vending machine can be reported lost or stolen to receive a pro-rated credit for the card.

Standard 7- and 30-day unlimited cards are accepted on MTA New York City Subway; non-express buses from either the MTA, NICE, or Bee-Line; the Roosevelt Island Tramway; and the Staten Island Railway. 7-Day Express Bus Plus is accepted on MTA express buses. The AirTrain JFK only accepts the Unlimited AirTrain JFK card.

Student MetroCard

The Student MetroCard was issued to New York City public and private school students who live within the city limits. It allowed free access to the NYCT buses and trains, depending on the distance traveled between their school and their home. The card program was managed by theNYCDOEOffice of Pupil Transportation.In NYC, these cards were replaced byStudent OMNYcards. In Nassau County, Student MetroCards are issued by individual schools which have pre-paid for the cards. In Westchester County, cards are also issued, but cost $58 per month, or $580 a school year.

The DOE issues different colors of cards to students who live in New York City. Orange cards are given to students who are in grade K-6. Green cards are given to students who are in grades 7–12. Student MetroCards are allowed on the New York City Subway, non-express MTA buses, and the Staten Island Railway. Formerly, there was also a half-fare card that could only be used on non-express buses, discontinued in mid-2019.Red cards are issued to students and parents when there is a school bus work stoppage.Blue and purple cards are issued to Nassau County students and are only allowed to use the cards on NICE buses.Up to three trips per day may be made on student MetroCards, though four-trip MetroCards can be authorized individually for students who must make more than one transfer between home and school.

Students who receive a student MetroCard must live:

• More than 0.5 miles away if they are in grades K–2
• More than 1.0 miles away if they are in grades 3–6
• More than 1.5 miles away if they are in grades 7–12

In May 2019, the MTA voted to phase out the half-fare student MetroCard and distribute only full-fare cards for students who qualify for a MetroCard.

Disabled/Senior Citizen Reduced-Fare MetroCard

Senior Reduced-Fare MetroCard (Male & Female) (Back)

Senior citizen MetroCards are received via applicationor by submitting the application in person with required ID and copies of proof of age at the NYC Transit Customer Service Center at 3 Stone St in lower Manhattan and act as a combination photo ID and MetroCard. It allows half-fare within the MTA system, and on express buses during off-peak hours only. Half fare is also available on the 7-day and 30-day Unlimited MetroCards. "Autogate" cards are issued to persons with mobility impairments and are accepted at wheelchair doors at selected stations. The card back is color-coded to indicate the gender of the card holder, and the card face is marked with "Photo ID Pass". Later issues of Senior Citizen and Disability MetroCards are uncolored (all white with black printing on back with photo, gold face remains unchanged) for gender neutral requests. Temporary replacement cards are purple with no photo, or blue for Autogate MetroCard holders, and the value cannot be refunded if the original card is stolen or lost. A Senior & Disabled Reduced-fare EasyPay (automatic refill) card is also available.

This type of card is accepted everywhere the Pay-Per-Ride or time-based MetroCard is, with two exceptions: it is not valid on the PATH, and it is not valid for ticket purchase on New York City-bound LIRR and Metro-North trains in the morning. Reduced-Fare MetroCards (in any variety) are also not accepted at PATH stations. Reduced fare customers who do not have a MetroCard may purchase a full-fare round trip MetroCard from a subway station agent by presenting proof of eligibility.

This type of card caused complaints because it took up to three months to replace.

Fair Fares MetroCard

The Fair Fares MetroCard pilot program was implemented in January 2019.These are distributed by Fair Fares NYC, which sends letters to eligible residents that meet the income criteria, including veteran students,New York City Housing Authorityresidents,City University of New Yorkstudents, and residents who receive benefits from the Department of Social Services. These residents must then register online to receive the Fair Fare MetroCard. Holders of the Fair Fare MetroCard can purchase Pay-Per-Ride or time-based fares at half the regular price. This type of card is accepted only on local/limited/Select buses, the subway, and the Staten Island Railway.

Emergency services

NYPD and FDNY MetroCards

An emergency MetroCard is carried by police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel while on duty so they can access the subway system during an emergency.

Fares

This section is an excerpt fromNew York City transit fares § Current fares.[edit]

Fare media

MetroCard is accepted on MTA Regional buses, the New York City Subway,Metro North'sHudson Rail Link,the Staten Island Railway, PATH, Roosevelt Island Tramway, AirTrain JFK, Nassau Inter-County Express, and Bee-Line Bus. Local MTA bus routes and NICE and Bee-Line buses also accept coins (though pennies and half-dollars are not accepted onSelect Bus Serviceroutes), while MTA buses, Hudson Rail Link, the Roosevelt Island Tram, Airtrain JFK, the subway, and the Staten Island Railway also acceptOMNY.MetroCard, TAPP, andSmartLinkare accepted on PATH; however, SmartLink and TAPP cannot be used on any other transit system in New York City. The subway, Roosevelt Island Tram, the Staten Island Railway, and express buses only accept MetroCard and OMNY as payment.

As of December 31, 2020,all subway stations, the Staten Island Railway,and all MTA-operated buses are equipped with OMNY readers. As of August 2023,the only unlimited option available on OMNY is the 7 day fare cap; MetroCard remains the only option for other unlimited products.

	MetroCard	Coins	OMNY	SmartLink & TAPP
MTA local buses	Y	Y	Y	N
MTA express buses	Y	N	Y	N
NYC Subway	Y	N	Y	N
Staten Island Railway	Y	N	Y	N
PATH	Y	N	N	Y
Roosevelt Island Tramway	Y	N	Y	N
AirTrain JFK	Y	N	Y	N
Nassau Inter-County Express	Y	Y	N	N
Westchester County Bee-Line	Y	Y	N	N

NYC Ferry andNJ Transitfares are paid using physical or digital tickets (in addition to cash on NJ Transit), which are not compatible with the MetroCard, OMNY,or any of the city's other modes of transport.

Base fares

All fares are inUS dollars.Children under 44 "tall ride for free with fare-paying rider; limit is 3except for NYC Ferryand Express Buses.

Service	Fare type	Fare	Special fares
MTA Bus / NYC Bus (Local, Limited-Stop, Select Bus Service), NICE Bus,NYC Subway,SIR,Roosevelt Island Tramway	Full	$2.90	$3.25 for a SingleRide Ticket
	Reduced	$1.45
Bee-Line Bus (except BxM4C),	Full	$2.75
	Reduced	$1.35
PATH	Full	$3.00	$3.00 for a PATH SingleRide Ticket
	Reduced	$1.50	$1.50 for PATH by using Senior SmartLink Card
Express buses(MTA / NYC)	Full	$7.00	Children under 2 ride free when sitting on the parent's lap
	Reduced (off-peak)	$3.50
BxM4C bus	Full	$7.50
	Reduced (off-peak)	$3.75
Student OMNY card		Free
NICE Student Fare		$2.25
NYC Ferry		$4.50
AirTrain JFK		$8.50
Access-A-Ride(NYC paratransit)		$2.90
Able-Ride(Nassau County paratransit)		$4	$80 for a book of 20 tickets
Notes:

Unlimited-ride fares

All fares are inUS dollars.There is a $1 purchase fee for all new MetroCards issued within the subway system or at railroad stations (except for expiring or damaged MetroCards or MetroCards bought as part of a UniTicket).

Between February 28, 2022, and August 20, 2023, Monday-to-Sundayfare cappingapplied on OMNY. Users of OMNY paid the base fare on buses, subways, and the Staten Island Railway until they had paid a total amount equal to the cost of the 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard option for fares within a single week (from Monday to Sunday), upon which they did not pay fares for subsequent trips. As of March 2022,this meant that full-fare passengers paid $2.75 for each of the first 12 trips made in a week; after they had paid for 12 trips, their fare payment medium became an unlimited-fare on the 13th tap.Reduced-fare customers were also eligible for the unlimited cap by making 12 trips in a week at $1.35 per ride, for a total cost of $16.20.When the base fare was raised to $2.90 on August 21, 2023, the 7-day cap was modified to apply to any consecutive seven-day period.In addition, the fare cap was raised to $34, so riders paid $2.90 for their first 11 trips and $2.10 for their 12th trip.

Fare product	Fare type	Price
7-Day Unlimited(and weekly fare cap)	Full fare	$34
	Reduced fare MetroCard	$17.00
	Reduced fare OMNY	$16.20
30-Day Unlimited	Full fare	$132
	Reduced fare	$66
1-Day Unlimited SmartLink		$10
7-Day Unlimited SmartLink		$34.50
30-Day Unlimited SmartLink		$106
7-Day Express Bus Plus		$64
10-Trip AirTrain JFK		$26.50
30-Day AirTrain JFK		$42.50

Notes:

• The 7 Day Express Bus Plus MetroCard is the only Unlimited-Ride MetroCard accepted on MTA express buses.
• The 30-Day AirTrain JFK MetroCard is the only Unlimited-Ride MetroCard accepted on AirTrain JFK. This MetroCard is not valid on any other services.
• No Unlimited MetroCards are accepted on the BxM4C and PATH trains.
• SmartLink is the only Unlimited-Ride card accepted on PATH. SmartLink is not valid on any other services.

Transfers

MetroCard and OMNY

All transfers with MetroCard or OMNY are free from bus to subway, local bus to local bus, and subway to local bus (only one transfer per fare paid unless otherwise stated below). For transfers from local bus or subway to express buses (except the BxM4C), a step-up charge of $4 is charged.Customers transferring to suburban buses from another system with a lower base fare must pay the difference between the fare on the first bus and the fare on the second bus. With coins, transfers are available to different local buses only, with some restrictions, and issued upon request when boarding only.All transfers are good for two hours and 18 minutes.The transfer system also includes Bee-Line and NICE services as buses, and the Roosevelt Island Tramway as subway (a Tramway-to-local-bus or Tramway-to-subway transfer is allowed).

SingleRide tickets are valid for one ride within two hours after purchase on local buses and the subway. One bus-to-bus transfer is allowed;however, transfer between buses and subways in either direction are not allowed.

On theSelect Bus Serviceroutes except S79, customers paying with coins requiring a transfer must board via the front door and request a transfer from the operator. All other customers may board via any of the three doors on Select Bus Service buses.

Bee-Line customers needing to transfer toConnecticut Transit(I-Bus and route 11),Transport of Rockland(Tappan ZEExpress),Putnam Transit(PART 2),orHousatonic Area Regional Transit(Ridgefield-Katonah Shuttle)services must ask for a transfer, even if paying with MetroCard. The BxM4C does not accept or issue any transfers.

NICE customers needing to transfer to City of Long Beach N69,Suffolk County Transit,orHuntington Area Rapid Transitservices must ask for a transfer, even if paying with MetroCard.

There are no free transfers to or from PATH.

Designated multiple-transfer corridors

Two transfers are available at several places. The transfers must be made within two hours in order or in reverse order, unless otherwise specified.

Bus

1. BetweenStaten Island bus routescrossing theStaten Island Railway,through St. George Ferry Terminal, and then any local bus or subway service belowFulton Streetin Lower Manhattan.
2. Between theB11andB6,and any connecting bus route on either line.
3. Between theB61andB62,and certain connecting bus routes on either line.
4. Between theBx29,theBx12,and certain bus routes connecting with the Bx12.
5. Between theM20andM10,and certain connecting bus routes on either line.
6. Between theM55andM5,and certain connecting bus routes on either line.
7. Between theM104andM42,and certain connecting bus routes on either line.A second transfer is also valid between the M104, the M42, and the subway at42nd Street–Bryant Park/Fifth AvenueorGrand Central–42nd Street.
8. Between theQ4,Q5,Q42,Q84andQ85atJamaica Center;theQ17,Q30andQ31in downtown Jamaica; and theQ1,Q2,Q36andQ43at165th Street Bus Terminal.Additionally, the second transfer in both directions can be to aQ83bus.
9. Between the southboundQ27,the westboundQ83,and the subway (or vice versa). A second transfer is also available between certain connecting bus routes on the Q27, the southbound Q27, and the westbound Q83 (or vice versa).
10. Between theS59orS78,theS79 SBS,and any connecting bus or subway route in Brooklyn.
11. Between then20G,then20Horn21,and then any connecting bus route.

When a Uniticket is purchased on theLong Island Rail Roador theMetro-North Railroad,passengers traveling to a valid Uniticket station may transfer to a local bus at that station without paying an additional fare. The reverse is true for Uniticket holders boarding a bus toward a valid Uniticket station.

Additional transfer corridors are listed in the NYCT Tariff.

Subway

Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard and OMNY customers cannot make subway-to-subway transfers by exiting the turnstile and entering again, with two exceptions:

• Upper East Side,Manhattan –Le xing ton Avenue/59th Streeton theIRT Le xing ton AvenueandBMT Broadway Lines(4,​5,​6,<6>​,N,​R,and ​Wtrains) andLe xing ton Avenue/63rd Streeton the63rd Street lines(F,<F>​, andQtrains).
• Brownsville, Brooklyn–Livonia Avenue(Ltrain) andJunius Street(3train).

Until 2011, an extra out-of-system subway-to-subway transfer was allowed inLong Island City,Queens, between23rd Street–Ely Avenue/Long Island City–Court Squareon theIND Queens BoulevardandCrosstown Linesand45th Road–Court House Squareon theIRT Flushing Line.This transfer was eliminated with the opening of an in-system transfer passageway among the three stations.Additional out-of-system transfers are added on a case-by-case basis, usually whenever a regular transfer is unavailable due to construction. Past instances included two transfers inWilliamsburgandBedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn,due to the14th Street Tunnel shutdownfrom 2019 to 2020;a transfer inGravesend, Brooklyn,due to theBMT Sea Beach Line(Ntrain)'s partial suspension from 2019 to 2020;and two transfers inInwood, Manhattan,in 2019 due to the closure of the168th Streetstation (1train).

Transfer restrictions

There are restrictions on transfers, as noted below. The transfer rules and restrictions are identical for MetroCard and OMNY, where OMNY is available.

Bus

For Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard and OMNY customers, there is no free transfer back onto the same route on which the fare was initially paid, or between the following buses:

• No transfer in the opposite direction (but transfersarepermitted to buses in the same direction):
  • M1, M2, M3, M4
  • M101, M102, M103
  • Bx1 and Bx2
• No transfer in either direction:
  • M96 and M106
  • Bx40 and Bx42
• No transfers between NICE bus routes that are not listed on the timetable of the route on which fare is paid. Essentially, one cannot transfer between bus routes that do not intersect.
• Express:
  • No transfers to/from BxM4C, even with a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard.
  • No transfers between differentUnion Turnpike express buses(QM1, QM5, QM6, QM31, QM35, QM36) traveling in the opposite direction.

Between subway and bus

There are no subway-to-bus or bus-to-subway transfers allowed without a MetroCard or OMNY, with one exception:

• At theRockaway Parkway Intermodal Centeron theBMT Canarsie Line(Ltrain), westbound B6, B82 Local, and B82Select Bus Servicecustomers arriving from East New York and Canarsie, eastbound B6 Local customers on trips terminating at Rockaway Parkway, and all B42 customers, are transported directly into the subway system'sfare controlwithout having to pass through turnstiles (as theformer trolley linehad a loop installed within fare control). Similarly, subway passengers can transfer to B42 and westbound B6 and B82 Local service without using a MetroCard or OMNY (westbound B82 SBS customers must still obtain proof of payment, but have a second transfer to another route).

NYC Ferry

As NYC Ferry uses a separate fare payment system from the rest of New York City's transportation system, it does not provide any free transfers to any other modes of transportation using MetroCard or OMNY. However, passengers can request one free transfer to a connecting NYC Ferry route, valid within 90 minutes of the passenger boarding the first route. Tickets are checked prior to boarding, when the boat arrives at the station.

MetroCard Bus Transfer

TheMetroCard Bus Transferis issued upon request to passengers who pay cash fares on buses accepting MetroCard. The transfer is inserted into the fare box on the second bus, which retains it.Westchester Bee Line bus systemandNassau Inter-County ExpressandMTA New York City Transit busis free to transfer from one bus to another bus that is accepted with MetroCard. The bus transfer is paper like the SingleRide Metrocard. This transfer does not grant cash customers subway access.

For suburban transfers, if the fare paid to get the transfer is less than that required on the second bus, the difference must be paid on boarding. For transfers from NICE to New York City Transit, no step up fee is required.

The predecessor to the MetroCard bus transfer was theoriginalbus transfer. These paper tickets allowed bus to bus transfers. Available in pads of several different colors for use at different times, boroughs or directions, they would be torn at a certain time-marked line to indicate when the transfer would expire.A version of this still exists today as the "General Order Transfer" (aka "block ticket" ) which is provided to customers as they leave the subway system during service disruptions to re-enter the system at another point (often via a shuttle bus).

Purchase options

All new MetroCard purchases are charged a $1 fee, except to reduced fare customers and those exchanging damaged/expired cards. This purchase fee does not apply to MetroCard refills.

Subway station booths

As of 2022, booths no longer handle any transactions, and station agents have been reassigned to other functions within the station.Prior to this booths staffed by MTA station agents (at specified time periods) are located in all MTAsubway stations.Every type of MetroCard could be purchased at a booth, with the exception of the SingleRide ticket (purchased at the MetroCard Vending Machine) and MetroCards specific to other transit systems (AirTrain JFK and PATH). All booth transactions had to be in cash.

MetroCard vending machines

MetroCard Vending Machine

MetroCard Vending Machines (MVMs) are located in all subway stations, PATH stations (with the added ability to reloadSmartLinkcards),Staten Island Ferryterminals,Roosevelt Island Tramwaystations, and theHempstead Transit Center,Eltingville Transit Center,and Central Terminal atLaGuardia Airport.

MVMs debuted on January 25, 1999, and are found in two models. Standard MVMs accept cash,credit cards,anddebit cards,and are located in every subway station. Cash transactions are required for purchases of less than $1, and they can return up to $9 in coin change (this amount was changed in later years to $6). MVMs can also reload previously issued MetroCards.MetroCard Express Machines (MEMs) are smaller MVMs that only accept credit and ATM/debit cards.Both models allow customers to purchase any type of MetroCard through atouchscreen.The machines also comply with theAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990,through use ofBrailleand aheadsetjack: audible commands for each menu item are provided once a headset is connected and the proper sequence is keyed through the keypad; all non-visual commands are then entered via the keypad instead of the touchscreen. The MEMs and MVMs are geared to allow a maximum of 2 transactions per day when payment is made by either credit or debit card. PATH fare vending machines (only in PATH stations) can dispense MetroCards. MetroCards that have expired can be exchanged using a MVM or MEM if done within one year of the expiration date printed on the back of the card. This is done by using the Refill option on the machine screen. Any cash value that is left on the expired card will be transferred to the new card. No fee is charged for a new MetroCard in this instance.

MetroCard bus and van

MetroCard bus

MetroCard sales van

A number of MetroCard sales vans and a MetroCard bus (a retired bus converted for sales duty) routinely travel to specific locations inNew York CityandWestchester County,stopping for a day (or half a day) at the announced locations. MetroCards can be purchased or refilled directly from these vehicles. Reduced-fare MetroCard applications can also be processed on the bus, including taking photographs for these cards.

The MetroCard van serves all five boroughs and Westchester County, while the MetroCard bus serves Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and parts of Brooklyn.

Neighborhood MetroCard merchants

Vendors can apply to sell MTA fare media at their business. Only presealed, prevalued cards are available, and no fee is charged. A comprehensive listing of neighborhood MetroCard merchants can be found on the MTA website.

Commuter railroad ticket vending machines

Ticket vending machines (TVMs) for the MTA's two commuter railroad systems,Long Island Rail RoadandMetro-North Railroad,offer the option to purchase combined tickets/passes and MetroCards. A $5.50 MetroCard is available with a round-trip ticket, and a $50 MetroCard is available with a monthly pass. In addition, the machines sell separate $25 MetroCards. TVMs atJamaica stationand Penn Station sellAirTrain JFKmonthly passes on the back of LIRR tickets. All cards sold from these machines are of thick paper stock, not the normal plastic.

Beginning in 2007, with the start of theS89 busservice, a combinedHudson–Bergen Light Rail(HBLR) monthly pass and monthly MetroCard became available atNJ Transitticket vending machines at HBLR stations.

Future

In 2006, the MTA and Port Authority announced plans to replace the magnetic strip withsmart cards.

On July 1, 2006, MTA launched a six-month pilot program to test the new contact-lesssmart cardfare collection system, initially ending on December 31, 2006, but extended until May 31, 2007.This program was tested at all stations on theIRT Le xing ton Avenue Lineand at four stations in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. The testing system utilizedCitibankMasterCard'sPaypasskeytags.This smart card system was intended to ease congestion near the fare control area by reducing time spent paying for fare. MTA and other transportation authorities in the region said they would eventually implement it system-wide.

OMNY

Main article:OMNY

In October 2017, MTA signed a $573 million contract withCubic Transportation SystemsforOMNY(short for One Metro New York), a new fare payment system. This will use thecontactlesspayment system, with riders waving or tapping credit or debitbank cards,smartphones,and/or MTA-issuedsmart cardsto pay their fare.This contactless system was originally developed byTransport for Londonat a cost of £11 million (at the time equivalent to around $14 million),before being licensed toCubicfor worldwide sale.MTA expects to spend at least six years rolling out the system, with new electronic readers and vending machines.The new fare system would be rolled out on a limited basis in May 2019. It was intended that by 2024, the MetroCard would be phased out entirely, although this target has not been met.

Unauthorized resale and scams

Main article:New York City transit fares § Fare evasion

The MetroCard system is susceptible to various types of unauthorized resale, colloquially known as "selling swipes".

At times, this may involve individuals charging to swipe another commuter into the subway system at a discount below the official fare, either by using an "unlimited ride" MetroCard, or by manipulating a spent MetroCard to obtain an extra, unpaid ride. A 2004 press release from New York State SenatorMartin J. Goldenclaims these behaviors cost the MTA $260,000 a year.

So-called 'swipers' reportedly may secure customers by maliciously damaging the coin and bill acceptor mechanisms of metrocard vending machinesNearly half of broken vending machines were in Manhattan, and the MTA spent $26.5 million on MVM repairs as of 2017.An 18-minute delay between uses of an "unlimited ride" MetroCard at any given station, and the expense of unlimited ride MetroCards, have historically limited their use for selling swipes.

More commonly, "swipers" use a technique which involves bending a spent MetroCard in a precise way that then allows a further use of that MetroCard when swiped and unkinked according to a specific procedure at a turnstile.Swipers employ this procedure to sell discount entry to the subway; some riders simply use the technique to garner free subway entry themselves. The bend purportedly damages the magnetic stripe on the MetroCard which indicates it no longer has value, prompting the turnstile reader to defer to a back-up field which indicates that the metrocard has one remaining fare.When the technique was discovered, it could be performed an unlimited number of times with the same MetroCard.However, a software correction soon limited the technique to just once per used MetroCard, in which a turnstile computer which had deferred to that "backup" field would require the MetroCard be swiped additional times through the reader/writer before granting entry so any lingering indication of value could be deleted from the card, making it impossible to manipulate a given MetroCard in the same way once again.

Criminal charges leveled against those using this bent-MetroCard technique have included petit larceny and, in a state law introduced specifically to target swipers in the year 2006, with "unauthorized sale of transportation services." As early as 2001, however, police and prosecutors began to charge people bending MetroCards to seek free rides (either to sell, or for personal use) with various forms of forgery.

While misdemeanor forgery charges have been used in a number of jurisdictions, theManhattan District Attorney's Officechampioned felony forgery charges for those in possession of manipulated metrocards, including "criminal possession of a 'forged instrument' in the 2nd Degree", a felony.A representative of that office successfully defended the charge to the state's highest court, theNew York State Court of Appeals,in a case decided in 2009.Critics have argued, however, that the court's decision is based on an incomplete—and possibly incorrect—understanding of MetroCard technology, calling to question the status of a bent metrocard as a "forged instrument". The MetroCard technology has no public documentation, and has never been made available to criminal defendants who might dispute claims that a simple bend to a MetroCard alters its data as read by a turnstile computer in the way claimed by Manhattan prosecutors. It is unclear, for example, why a bent MetroCard cannot be used to obtain an unpaid ride on a New York City bus if simply bending a MetroCard can actually alter how it is read by a subway turnstile computer as prosecutors claim.One researcher has argued that a bent MetroCard must be subject to further procedures in order to be seen by the turnstile computer as legitimate, which requires both concealing data from the turnstile computer with a bend, as well as having fresh data written to the MetroCard by the turnstile computer itself. Because a bent MetroCard will not actually appear legitimate to a turnstile computer without further steps to allow the turnstile computer to write that fresh data, this casts doubt on the claim that a bent MetroCard – often cited as evidence in the prosecutions of swipers – actually constitutes a "forged instrument" as defined in New York State law.

A $1 fee on new MetroCards imposed in 2013 significantly curtailed the bent-MetroCard form of selling swipes. The fee motivated riders to keep and refill their existing MetroCards, undermining the vast supply of discarded spent MetroCards from which swipers previously drew as their stock-in-trade.Nonetheless, people continue to sell swipes of bent MetroCards which have been discarded.Swipers continue to be prosecuted under forgery laws, according to research published in 2019.

The MetroCard has resisted digital duplication through software. The MetroCard has a magnetic stripe, but both the track offsets and the encoding differ from standardMagstripecards. It is a proprietary format developed by the contractor Cubic. Off-the-shelf reader/writers for the standard cards are useless to read from or write to MetroCards without mechanical modification and custom software. Self-identified hackers have had success decoding MetroCard data by treating Metrocard contents as sound, and converting its contents to binary using a computer sound card, inferring the role of data fields by comparing MetroCards with known properties, and developing custom Linux software to decode MetroCard data.Moreover, MetroCard data has been duplicated to other media, also by treating it as sound, using an eight-track tape player. While duplicates may be usable to enter the subway in the short term, they are likely to be invalidated after the AFC database discovers imbalance between fares purchased for a MetroCard with a certain serial number, and fares used from one or more MetroCards bearing that serial number.

Limited editions

Over the years, the MTA has issued limited-edition MetroCards in honor of certain events, people, or structures.

Back side designs

2001 MetroCard with corporate advertisement on reverse

For much of the MetroCard's history, images were printed only on the back side of MetroCards.These have included cards with theStatue of Liberty,theNew York City bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics,aSolomon R. Guggenheim Museumexhibit, and theCircle Lineferry.Sporting events have also been commemorated, including theSubway Series,the2014 Super Bowl,and the2014–15 seasonof theBrooklyn Nets.

In 2017, the MTA started issuingSupreme-branded MetroCards at eight subway stations. The Supreme-branded cards were popular, and there were reports that some were resold for hundreds of dollars.The MTA issued MetroCards featuringMariska Hargitay,the main actor in the TV seriesLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit,in 2024 to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary.

Front side designs

LGBT pride-themed MetroCards forStonewall 50 - WorldPride NYC 2019

InstagramMetrocard, the final advertisement Metrocard, which was the last one New York City Transit Authority did.

The MTA started allowing front side advertising in 2012.One of the earlier front side designs was anI Love New Yorkcard first sold in October 2013. Three hundred thousand cards were printed in remembrance ofHurricane Sandythe previous year.

Starting in December 2018, the MTA started issuing 250,000Game of Thrones-themed MetroCards atGrand Central–42nd Street,in honor of the show'sfinal season.The cards came in four designs.Starting in May 2019, coinciding with the opening of the Memorial Glade at theNational September 11 Memorial & Museum,the MTA issued 250,000 MetroCards with images of first responders at theWorld Trade Center siteafter9/11.The MetroCards were issued at ten subway stations: six in Lower Manhattan and four high-traffic stations in midtown and Brooklyn.In June 2019, the MTA celebratedStonewall 50 - WorldPride NYC 2019withLGBT pride-themed MetroCards.

In November 2020, the MTA celebratedVeterans Daywith Veterans Day themed MetroCards. The MetroCards were available at six stations: two in Brooklyn, one in Queens, two in Midtown Manhattan, and one in The Bronx.In 2023, the MTA issued specialCam'ron,LL Cool J,Rakim,andPop SmokeMetroCards.In 2024, the MTA issuedIce SpiceMetroCards to celebrate the launch of Ice Spice's first album.That May, the MTA announced that two final front-side MetroCard designs would be issued, as the MTA was in the process of retiring the MetroCard itself.The second-to-last commemorative card was themed toOlivia Rodrigoand was sold starting in October 2024.The last promotional Metrocard, collaborating withInstagram,features social media stars "New York Nico","SubwayTakes "and"Overheard NY"were sold starting on December 9, 2024.

External links

• Media related toMetroCard (New York City)at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website