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About MetroCard
MetroCard is retiring. As of January 1, 2026, you can no longer buy or refill a MetroCard.
If you still have a MetroCard, you can transfer the value to an OMNY Card at a Customer Service Center. The easiest, most flexible way to pay your subway or bus fare is to tap and ride with your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device, or OMNY Card. Tap and ride and you'll only pay for the subway and local bus rides you take up to a cap of $35 in a 7-day period, as long as you use the same device or contactless card.
You can also spend down the value on your MetroCard before it expires by using it to pay for subway and bus rides.
MetroCard will continue to be accepted into 2026. The exact date when MetroCard will no longer be accepted will be announced later in the year. Remaining balances will be eligible for transfer or reimbursement.
If you have a 7-Day or 30-Day Unlimited Ride pass, you must begin using it by March 31, 2026 to get the full days of unlimited rides. If you begin using your pass after March 31, you will need to request a pro-rated refund for the remaining days after April 6 for a 7-Day pass or April 29 for a 30-Day pass. All refunds will be issued in OMNY Card value only.
Get help with a MetroCard
You can file a claim online for most MetroCard problems.
File a claim online
If you have a problem with a MetroCard, you can file an online claim for these issues:
- Balance Protection Claim
- Check on the status of a MetroCard claim previously submitted
- Lost or stolen Reduced-Fare MetroCard
- MetroCard not returned from bus farebox/AutoGate
- MetroCard Vending Machine problem
- Overcharged MetroCard
- Select Bus Service MetroCard Fare Collector
- Transfer problem
If your problem isn’t on this list, print a claim form to mail to us with your MetroCard.
If your MetroCard doesn't work
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Ask a station agent for a postage paid envelope or mail your damaged card to:
MetroCard Customer Claims
130 Livingston Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201 - To receive a full credit for time remaining on an Unlimited Ride MetroCard card, the envelope must be postmarked no later than one day after the problem occurs. Sundays and Federal holidays are not counted.
If your MetroCard has expired
Every MetroCard has an expiration date. The date is located at the upper left corner on the back of the card. The expiration date is usually about one year from the date of purchase.
If you have an expired MetroCard, you can bring it to a Customer Service Center to transfer the remaining value to an OMNY Card.
If your MetroCard was lost or stolen
The Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard can’t be replaced if it is lost or stolen. Treat it like cash. The following cards can be replaced:
- 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard and 7-Day Express Bus MetroCard. These cards provide balance protection if purchased with a credit card or debit/ATM card. File a report online or call 511.
- Reduced-Fare MetroCard. Call 511. You can also file a claim online.
For help, call 511 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., 7 days a week.
How to get a refund
Most MetroCard claims can be filed online. If the issue you’re having is listed under "File a claim online," fill out and submit the related form. If not, you can print this form (or get one from a station agent) and mail it to us here:
MetroCard Customer Claims
130 Livingston Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
MetroCard Balance Protection Program
We provide a Balance Protection Program for 30-Day Unlimited Ride and 7-Day Express Bus Plus MetroCards. Your card is protected against loss or theft as long as you bought it with a credit or debit card at a MetroCard vending machine. (Cards purchased with cash are not protected.)
Filing a Balance Protection Program claim
If your card is lost or stolen, you have two options:
- File a report online. This is your best option.
- Call 511 and follow the prompts get to the Balance Protection Program.
You'll need to supply us with the number of the credit or debit card you used. Your refund will be credited back to that card. We credit:
- $4.40 per day remaining on your 30-Day card, and
- $9.14 per day remaining on your 7-Day Express Bus Plus card.
The refund of full days remaining is based on the day you notify us of your loss. Any value on your card when it’s lost or stolen is not refundable. The $1 new card fee is also not refundable.
You can file up to two claims per calendar year. We process the first claim free of charge. We deduct a $5 administrative handling fee from the refund amount for the second claim.