The MTA is eliminating another traditional way to pay fares — this time, coins.

Beginning “later in 2026,” riders will no longer be able to pay with nickels, dimes or quarters on city buses, the agency said in a press release. A specific date for the change has not yet been announced.

What You Need To Know

  • Beginning “later in 2026,” riders will no longer be able to pay with nickels, dimes or quarters on city buses

  • Tap-and-ride payments will be required across the subway, local and express bus systems

  • Coins will still be accepted at OMNY vending machines in subway stations, and at businesses that sell OMNY cards

  • The move comes as the MTA prepares to end MetroCard sales entirely after Dec. 31

Instead, tap-and-ride payments will be required across the subway, local and express bus systems.

Coins will still be accepted at OMNY vending machines in subway stations, and at one of the 2,700 local businesses that sell OMNY cards, according to the agency.

The move comes as the MTA prepares to end MetroCard sales entirely after Dec. 31. Commuters with existing MetroCards will be able to continue using them in 2026, though officials have not said when they’ll be phased out completely.

Riders who prefer a physical card will still be able to purchase OMNY cards for $1 and load or reload them at select retail locations, online or at subway stations where vending machines are installed. Once MetroCards are fully retired, the cost of a new OMNY card will rise to $2.

The shift away from coins also coincides with an approved fare hike set for January. The base fare for subways, local buses and Access-A-Ride will increase from $2.90 to $3.