{"id":42586,"date":"2025-11-17T17:52:06","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T17:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/42586\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T17:52:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T17:52:06","slug":"as-mta-phases-out-metrocards-heres-how-to-get-a-free-omny-card","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/42586\/","title":{"rendered":"As MTA phases out MetroCards, here\u2019s how to get a free OMNY card"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 Select commuters can get a free OMNY card as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority moves away from MetroCards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Starting Tuesday, the MTA is offering to waive all fees for the first 400 people who transfer their MetroCard balance to an OMNY card at one of the agency\u2019s customer service centers.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we prepare to say goodbye to the MetroCard, we want to make sure customers are aware of all the resources available at our growing number of Customer Service Centers across the subway system,\u201d said Shanifah Rieara, the MTA\u2019s chief customer officer.<\/p>\n

Of the 16 customer service centers across New York City, only one is on Staten Island.<\/p>\n

Located in the Staten Island Railway\u2019s St. George station<\/a>, the center is open 24\/7 to assist riders with exchanging expired MetroCards or applying for Reduced Fare benefits.<\/p>\n

Starting in January 2026, the MTA will retire the MetroCard<\/a>. <\/p>\n

While MetroCards will still be accepted after this, the transportation agency will phase them out over the course of next year.<\/p>\n

As the system transitions to OMNY, the MTA will also retire the pre-paid seven-day and 30-day unlimited passes, along with the Express Bus Plus option.<\/p>\n

With the transition, the MTA said it expects to save at least $20 million annually in costs related to MetroCard production and distribution, vending machine repairs, cash collection and handling.<\/p>\n

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