Bob Dylan wasn’t wrong when he sang “the times they are a-changin’,” because another era is ending over here in New York City. The MTA has officially announced that coins are on their way out—starting in 2026, bus riders will no longer be able to pay fares with change. It’ll mark the first time in NYC Transit history that passengers can’t pay with cash onboard city buses.
On September 30, 2025, the MTA Board approved several changes to fares, tolls, and ticketing policies set to take effect in 2026, including the end of using nickels, dimes, and quarters to pay for bus rides. Commuters will instead tap and go using OMNY, the digital payment system that works with credit cards, smartphones, or OMNY cards.
Coins will still be accepted at card vending machines in subway stations and at the roughly 2,700 retailers that sell OMNY cards—just not on buses.
This decision is part of the MTA’s plan to fully roll out OMNY (One Metro New York), the contactless system replacing the MetroCard by the end of this year.
MetroCards will no longer be sold or reloaded after December 31, 2025, though commuters will still be able to use any remaining balance for a limited time in 2026.
OMNY cards currently cost $1, but that price is expected to rise to $2 once MetroCards are fully phased out. A minimum $1 load is required at purchase.
The shift away from cash comes as users have reported glitches with OMNY. A July survey found that nearly 75% of OMNY users have experienced system issues—with some riders even being charged multiple times for a single trip.
MTA Chair Janno Lieber said the agency is pressuring Cubic, the company hired in 2017 to build and manage the OMNY system, to fix the ongoing problems.
The news arrives alongside the MTA’s recently approved fare hikes, also taking effect in January 2026. Subway, local bus, and Access-A-Ride fares will increase from $2.90 to $3, while the reduced fare will rise from $1.45 to $1.50. Express bus rides will go from $7 to $7.25.
We’d ask “penny for your thoughts,” but we’ll soon be saying goodbye to that as well! Alas, looks like you’ll have to kiss the sound of change jangling in your pockets goodbye.
As OMNY gears up for its full rollout, here are some guides to help you get ready:
- Here’s How To Get an OMNY Card Before The MetroCard Disappears
- Here’s How To Get a Reduced-Fare OMNY Card Before the Year-End Rush
- Here’s How To Get a FREE Student OMNY Card & Up To 4 Free Rides Per Day
- Switching To OMNY Made Easy — Step-By-Step To Transfer Your MetroCard Balance
- OMNY Cards Are Rolling Out Digitally On iPhone—Here’s When You Can “Add To Apple Wallet”