MetroCard retirement: Key dates, OMNY transfers, and refunds

MetroCard retirement has a clear start date: as of January 1, 2026, you can’t buy a MetroCard or refill one you already have, according to the MTA’s MetroCard page. If you still have a valid card, you can keep using it, transfer its value, or seek reimbursement when eligible.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

MetroCard retirement: What changes on January 1, 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, MetroCard sales and refills stop. MetroCard will continue to be accepted into 2026, and the MTA says it will announce later in the year when MetroCard will no longer be accepted for fares.

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In the meantime, you can spend down whatever value is left on your MetroCard by using it for subway and bus rides until the card expires.

Transfer MetroCard value to an OMNY Card

If your MetroCard is still valid, you can transfer the value to an OMNY Card at a Customer Service Center. The MTA describes “tap and ride” as the most flexible option, whether you’re using a contactless credit or debit card, a smartphone, a wearable device, or an OMNY Card—an approach also covered by Railway Supply.

Tap and ride works best when you stick with the same device or contactless card, since that’s how fares are tracked. You’ll only pay for the subway and local bus rides you take up to a cap of $34 in a 7-day period, as explained in the MTA’s tap and ride guidance.

Unlimited Ride pass deadlines and pro-rated refunds

If you have a 7-Day or 30-Day Unlimited Ride pass, there’s a separate set of deadlines. To get the full number of unlimited days, you must begin using your pass by March 31, 2026.

If you start using the pass after March 31, you’ll need to request a pro-rated refund for any remaining days—after April 6 for a 7-Day pass, or after April 29 for a 30-Day pass. Any refund that’s issued will be provided as OMNY Card value only.

Claims, reimbursements, and the Balance Protection Program

For many MetroCard problems, the MTA says you can file a claim online. That includes situations where a MetroCard doesn’t work, has expired, or was lost or stolen, along with refund requests.

Even after the expiration date printed on a MetroCard, remaining balances will be eligible for transfer or reimbursement for two years after the expiration date on the MetroCard.

There’s also a MetroCard Balance Protection Program for 30-Day Unlimited Ride and 7-Day Express Bus Plus MetroCards. Protection applies only if you bought the MetroCard with a credit or debit card at a MetroCard vending machine; cards purchased with cash are not protected.

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