New York subway ends its MetroCard era and switches fully to tap-and-go fares

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. infuse / ɪnˈfyuz / (v.) – to fill something with a particular quality, feeling, or idea
    Example:

    Her positive attitude infused the whole team with motivation.


  2. notoriously / noʊˈtɔr i əs li / (adv.) – in a way that is famous for something bad or difficult
    Example:

    The other staff members avoided including him in the meeting because he is notoriously late.


  3. decommission / ˌdi kəˈmɪʃ ən / (v.) – to officially take something like a machine, building, or system out of active use
    Example:

    The hospital decommissioned its old X-ray machines and replaced them with new ones.


  4. swipe / swaɪp / (v.) – to pass or move a card, phone, or other device quickly through or over a machine that reads electronic information on it
    Example:

    You need to swipe your ID to get into the restricted areas in the office.


  5. toy with (something) / tɔɪ wɪθ / (phrasal v.) – to think about or consider an idea, plan, or possibility in a casual or playful way, without committing to it
    Example:

    He toyed with the thought of quitting his job, but he didn’t proceed because he still had bills to pay.


Article

Read the text below.

When the MetroCard replaced the New York City subway token in 1994, the swipeable plastic card infused much-needed modernity into one of the world’s oldest and largest transit systems. Now, more than three decades later, the gold-hued fare card and its notoriously finicky magnetic strip are following the token into retirement.


The last day to buy or refill a MetroCard was December 31, 2025, as the transit system fully transitions to OMNY, a contactless payment system that allows riders to tap their credit card, phone, or other smart device to pay fares, much like they do for other everyday purchases.


Transit officials say more than 90% of subway and bus trips are now paid using the tap-and-go system, introduced in 2019. Major cities around the world, including London and Singapore, have long used similar contactless systems. In the U.S., San Francisco launched a pay-go system earlier this year, joining Chicago and others.


The humble MetroCard may have outlasted its useful life, but in its day it was revolutionary, says Jodi Shapiro, curator at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn, which opened an exhibit last December reflecting on the MetroCard’s legacy.


Before MetroCards, bus and subway riders relied on tokens, the brass-colored coins introduced in 1953 that were purchased from station booths. When the subway opened in 1904, paper tickets cost just a nickel, or about $1.82 in today’s dollars.


“There was a resistance to change from tokens to something else because tokens work,” Shapiro said on a visit to the museum, housed underground in a decommissioned subway station. “MetroCards introduced a whole other level of thinking for New Yorkers.”


The Metropolitan Transportation Authority launched public campaigns to teach commuters how to swipe the originally blue-colored cards correctly, hoping to avoid the dreaded error message or lost fares. Officials even briefly toyed with the idea of a quirky mascot, the Cardvaark, before coming to their senses.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The article says the New York City subway has replaced MetroCards with OMNY, a contactless system where riders tap a card, phone, or smart device to pay. In your country, what method do people usually use to pay for public transport? Are you happy with the way it works, or would you like to see changes? Why? Discuss.
  • Many cities now use contactless systems for public services. Should everyone be expected to use smartphones or bank cards, or should cities also offer simple, non-digital options for those who need them? Why do you say so? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The article mentions that people had to learn how to swipe MetroCards correctly. In your country, how do people usually react when they must learn a new system and the old, familiar system has to be replaced? What does your government do to help people feel confident and secure when using a new system? Discuss.
  • Is it better to keep old systems that “work,” or to change them to be more modern? What problems or benefits can come from each choice? Discuss.