The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that New York City Transit Subway surpassed 4.5 million riders for two consecutive days, marking a post-pandemic ridership record, while the authority also hit three billion taps on its contactless fare payment system.

Hitting New Milestones

On Wednesday, October 22, 4.52 million customers rode the subway, and on Thursday, October 23, that figure was 4.55 million riders. The previous record was set during the holiday shopping season on Dec. 12, 2024, when 4.53 million subway customers used the system. 

The record ridership comes as the MTA hit three billion taps on its contactless fare payment system. 

The three billionth tapper milestone follows the MTA’s recent completion of installing 980 OMNY card vending machines across all 472 subway stations in September, as it prepares to phase out the MetroCard. To date, 87% of all subway and bus trips are paid using the Tap and Ride technology.

“Three billion taps is undeniable proof that New Yorkers are ready for a new era of fare payment,” said MTA Chair/CEO Janno Lieber. “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.”

Advancing the OMNY Program

In March, the MTA announced that the last day of MetroCard sales would be December 31, with MetroCard acceptance ending in mid-2026. 

As the Authority moves forward with its complete transition, it continues to expand its robust OMNY retail network, which now spans 2,700 locations — more than double the number of MetroCard partnering locations. While the Tap and Ride payment system doesn’t require an OMNY card and allows riders to pay fares directly with digital wallets and contactless bank cards, customers will find it twice as easy to purchase or reload an OMNY card, said MTA officials.

By eliminating the sale of MetroCards and fully transitioning to a single fare collection method, the MTA expects to save at least $20 million annually in costs related to MetroCard production and distribution, vending machine repairs, and cash collection and handling. 

The MTA said that moving to a contactless payment also unlocks potential for new customer-friendly promotions and fare discounts.

Simplifying Transit 

The Tap and Ride technology has simplified using the NYC transit system through the fare-capping feature, which removes the guesswork of purchasing the most cost-efficient fare ticket. Unlike MetroCard, customers do not have to pre-pay to receive unlimited rides or forfeit what they don’t spend. 

The fare-capping feature, available to customers who use a digital wallet, a contactless debit/credit card, or an OMNY card, makes transit more accessible by automatically providing free rides and leaving money in customers’ pockets.

Last month, the MTA Board approved a series of fare and ticket policy changes, which included expanding seven-day fare capping to express buses beginning next year. Express bus customers will pay no more than $67 a week for unlimited express bus, local bus, and subway rides in any 7 days.

After being introduced as a pilot program in 2022, OMNY seven-day fare-capping will also become permanent. The 7-day rolling fare cap allows customers to pay for 12 rides over 7 days and ride free for the rest of the week, with no pre-payment required.

Also included in last month’s announcement was news that OMNY charge and trip history are now available on OMNY.info, a recently added feature in response to customer feedback during the public comment period for the fare changes. Customers can now track their trips and associated charges on OMNY.info, along with their progress toward unlimited rides. By mid-2026, the MTA app will include all self-service tools available on OMNY.info.