New York City’s subway system reached a new milestone this week, with ridership surpassing 4.5 million passengers for two consecutive days. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the record numbers and noted that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) also recorded its three billionth tap on the OMNY contactless payment system.
“With significant progress in safety and reliability this year, it’s no surprise that we are breaking yet another ridership record on the subway,” Governor Hochul said. “To top it off, the increased convenience riders now have to tap and go is paying real dividends. Reaching major milestones for tap and go and daily ridership in the same week is the latest proof that the investments New York has made in mass transit are helping the lifeblood of New York City thrive.”
On October 22, 4.52 million people rode the subway, and on October 23, that number rose to 4.55 million. The previous record was set on December 12, 2024, during the holiday shopping season with 4.53 million riders. The three billionth tap was made by Russell Levy at the 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center station shortly after noon. This achievement follows the installation of 980 OMNY card vending machines across all 472 subway stations as the MTA moves toward retiring the MetroCard. Currently, 87 percent of all subway and bus trips are paid using Tap and Ride technology.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “Three billion taps is undeniable proof that New Yorkers are ready for a new era of fare payment. Tap and Ride, like the MetroCard did 30 years ago, opens the door to new discounts and promotions that will strengthen transit affordability — no speed arithmetic required.”
NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow commented, “As the fastest, simplest, and most convenient way to pay your fare, tap-and-ride has been a game changer for Transit riders who’ve now chosen it as their payment method three billion times. And while bittersweet for some New Yorkers to bid farewell to the MetroCard, we strongly encourage riders to switch to the payment system of the future now to ensure a seamless transition.”
MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara added, “Nearly 90 percent of riders made the switch and we’re ramping up efforts to reach the last 10 percent of holdouts. This includes opening more Customer Service Centers by the end of the year to provide riders more in-person opportunities in their neighborhoods to ask questions and address any concerns, and make the overall transition as smooth as possible.”
Russell Levy, who was identified as the three billionth tapper, said, “This was definitely new for my day — wasn’t expecting this one. We use the subway every day, we use it multiple times and love to tap and use OMNY.”
The MTA has announced that sales of MetroCards will end on December 31, 2025, with acceptance concluding in mid-2026 as part of its transition to OMNY. The OMNY retail network now includes 2,700 locations, more than double those that sold MetroCards. Riders can pay directly with digital wallets or contactless bank cards, making it easier to purchase or reload OMNY cards.
Customers seeking information about Tap and Ride can contact the OMNY Call Center, chat with a live agent through the MTA app, or visit any of the current 16 staffed Customer Service Centers, with 14 more planned by year’s end.
The switch to a single fare collection method is expected to save the MTA at least $20 million annually by reducing costs related to MetroCard production, vending machine repairs, and cash handling. The new system also creates opportunities for promotions and fare discounts.
Tap and Ride offers features such as fare capping, which automatically gives free rides after a set number of trips within a period, removing the need to prepay for unlimited rides or risk losing unused funds. The MTA Board recently approved expanding seven-day fare capping to express buses starting next year, with customers paying no more than $67 a week for unlimited travel across subways, local buses, and express buses. OMNY’s seven-day rolling fare cap will also become permanent.
OMNY users can now access charge and trip history on OMNY.info, allowing them to track usage and monitor their progress toward unlimited rides. By mid-2026, these self-service tools will be available in the MTA app.
