Home / Arts and Entertainment / Plastic Past: NYC MetroCards Sell for Thousands
Plastic Past: NYC MetroCards Sell for Thousands
5 Jan
Summary
- MetroCards officially retired on December 31, replaced by OMNY.
- Expired MetroCards now selling for up to $5,000 on eBay.
- Artist Thomas McKean creates intricate collages from MetroCards.
The New York City MetroCard, a fixture of public transit since 1994, has officially been retired as of December 31. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has completed its transition to a contactless payment system, allowing riders to use digital wallets, credit cards, or OMNY cards. This move signals the end of an era for the familiar yellow plastic payment method.
Despite being out of circulation, MetroCards are finding new life on resale platforms like eBay. Prices range from $6 to an astonishing $5,000, with collectible items like original debut cards and special edition designs commanding higher values. Even older subway tokens, phased out in 2003, are available for modest sums.
Beyond resale, MetroCards are inspiring artistic expression. Artist Thomas McKean transforms discarded cards into intricate collages and sculptures, viewing the MetroCard as a "magical object" that once connected New Yorkers. This artistic embrace ensures the legacy of the MetroCard continues, even as OMNY becomes the new standard for transit payments.
