Tap and go in every borough
Tap to pay is the easiest, most flexible way to pay your subway or bus fare. You don't have to sign up or download an app; simply use your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device, or OMNY card to tap and go.
Tap to pay currently supports full-fare and Reduced-Fare pay-per-ride options.
How tap to pay works
To pay your fare at subway turnstiles, AutoGates, and on board buses (including Select Bus Service buses), simply tap your own contactless credit or debit card, smart device, or OMNY card on the reader. The screen will instantly confirm if the tap was successful. Use the same card or device for both legs of your trip to get a free transfer.
Earn free rides by tapping
Tap to pay caps your weekly fares at $34 when you tap the same card or device for every ride. This gives customers the benefits of a 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard without paying in advance.
Your first tap starts a new seven-day cap. If you spend $34 within seven days, you ride free for the rest of the cap period. If you spend less, you only pay for the rides you take.
The fare-capping program is available for full-fare and Reduced-Fare trips on New York City subways and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses.
Tap the same way every time to get fare capping benefits. If you tap a card, use that same card for every tap. If you tap a device, make sure you always use the same device and the same card in your mobile wallet.
The cap resets every seven days and restarts with your next tap. Express buses, group trips, and transfers do not count toward the cap. The Reduced-Fare cap is $17.
First ever tap? You can’t pass it back (yet)
If this is your first time tapping a card or device on a reader, you can’t use it to pay for other riders on the same trip yet. Your bank must approve the transaction before any other fares are paid. Instead, use a separate payment method for everyone on your first trip.
Approval generally takes only a few minutes. You should be able to tap for up to four people on your next trip.
However, using separate cards or devices allows everyone in your group to earn free rides. When each person pays for 12 rides using their same card or phone within seven days, any additional rides within that period are free.
Using an OMNY card
OMNY cards are now available at select retail locations and subway stations throughout New York City. An OMNY card can be filled using cash at nearby retailers and vending machines in stations, so you don't need a bank card or device to take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of tap to pay.
An OMNY card works the same as a contactless credit or debit card—all you have to do is tap and go. You can also use an OMNY card to take advantage of our fare capping program.
Full-fare and Reduced-Fare customers can transfer value from a MetroCard to an OMNY card at our Customer Service Centers in select subway stations or in Lower Manhattan, or at Mobile Sales vehicles.
About OMNY vending machines
You can buy or reload an OMNY card at vending machines in many subway stations. As a limited-time introductory offer, you can buy a new reloadable card for $1. That's the same price as a new MetroCard, even though OMNY cards last for years. You can also buy a new Single-Ride OMNY ticket for $3.25. You can pay with cash, a credit or debit card, or a smart device.
Eventually, OMNY vending machines will be available in all 472 subway stations as we prepare to retire MetroCard. For now, you may see machines in other stations that are installed but not yet available for use.
Get help with
Contact us online or call 877-789-6669 for questions about tap to pay payments and transactions:
- Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 24/7 for self-help service