Transit Briefs: NYMTA, San Diego MTS/NCTD, Sound Transit, Coastal Link
New York MTA
Dec. 31, 2025, will mark the final day of MetroCard sales and distribution, as MTA’s contactless tap-and-go payment system will replace the three-decade-old swipe system, MTA reported March 19. The tap-and-go system, it said, allows riders to pay fares directly with digital wallets, contactless credit and debit cards, and OMNY cards.
Riders who prefer to use a physical card and/or pay with cash can buy an OMNY card for $1 and load or reload their card at thousands of retail locations, online, Mobile Sales Van locations, or at subway stations throughout New York City where OMNY vending machines are currently available. According to MTA, rollout will be complete by the fall when all 472 subway stations will have an OMNY vending machine. Retail partner locations, it noted, will stop selling MetroCards this fall.
MetroCards will still be accepted into 2026 and the official final acceptance date will be announced at a later time, MTA said. While the transit agency is encouraging riders to spend down the value on their MetroCards, remaining balances will be eligible for transfer or reimbursement two years from the expiration date on the MetroCard.
According to MTA, benefits of its new tap-and-go fare payment system include:
- The potential for new promotions, discounts, special deals for tourists, and a loyalty program similar to frequent-flyer airline programs.
- MTA will be able to explore technology systems used by other transit agencies to check proof of payment.
- Riders will save money. “There is $40 million of fare value underutilized annually from weekly and monthly MetroCards,” MTA reported. By switching to tap-and-go, riders do not have to pre-pay for multiple trips to receive a discount and 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 leaving money in riders’ pockets, the transit agency said. Riders automatically receive free, unlimited rides for the rest of the week once they have paid $34 (or $17 for enrolled Reduced-Fare customers) in fares—the same as taking 12 trips. The fare cap is reached nearly 1 million times every month and gives riders more than $8 million worth of free trips every month, according to MTA.
- By eliminating the sale of MetroCard and fully transitioning to one fare collection method, MTA said it expects to save at least $20 million annually in costs related to MetroCard production and distribution; vending machine repairs; and cash collection and handling.
“After 32 years, it’s time to say goodbye to the MetroCard and go all in on the fare payment system of the future,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said. “Tap-and-go—already the choice for 65% of our riders—is not only easier and more convenient to use, it also opens the door for new discounts and promotions that’ll put money back in riders’ pockets.”
“While there’s no doubt the MetroCard will remain an iconic New York City symbol, tap-and-go fare payment has been a game changer for everyday riders and visitors, saving them the guessing game on what fare package is most cost efficient for their travels and making using NYC’s transit system much easier,” MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara added. “This is a prime example of how we’re leveraging new technology to modernize our systems and create a better customer experience.”
San Diego MTS / NCTD
Express Mode is now available for San Diego MTS and NCTD riders using Apple Pay to pay and ride transit, which makes it easier to travel throughout San Diego County with just a tap of an iPhone or Apple Watch, according to the transit agencies.
With Express Mode enabled for debit or credit cards, riders do not need to wake or unlock their iPhone or Apple Watch, or even open any apps, to pay and ride on MTS Trolleys and buses, as well as on NCTD COASTER commuter rail, SPRINTER hybrid rail, BREEZE bus, and FLEX on-demand services. They simply hold their Apple device near a PRONTO validator to securely pay with Apple Pay, according to the transit agencies. Riders can change which payment method they’d like to use with Express Mode at any time.
For added convenience, the agencies said, power reserve on iPhone enables riders to still use their device to pay and ride even if their device needs a charge. Additionally, fares paid via Apple Pay are eligible for free transfers during the two-hour period on most modes after the first boarding time. Each rider will be required to pay their fare with a unique Apple device, as each device can only be used for one rider at a time.
“Today [March 19] marks an exciting step forward in making public transit in San Diego more seamless and convenient,” said Stephen Whitburn, MTS Board Chair and San Diego City Councilmember, District 3. “Whether you’re heading to a Padres game, a concert, or simply commuting to your next destination, paying with Apple Pay empowers riders to hop onboard faster. We appreciate having the close collaboration with Apple to bring this feature to our transit systems.”
“NCTD is excited to work with Apple to make taking transit more convenient for residents and visitors,” NCTD CEO Shawn M. Donaghy said. “This expands on the contactless payment feature we launched last year—just tap your phone or smart watch for easy access to the amazing transit services NCTD offers.”
Sound Transit
Train No. 12 (pictured top right) on March 11 began pilot testing a new feature aimed to improve train visibility and rider safety along the at-grade portions of Sound Transit’s light rail network. Called the “wig wag train,” it uses a pattern of flashing lights that are tied in with the train’s bell and horn systems that begin flashing when triggered by the operator, according to Sound Transit, which already employs the technology on Sounder commuter rail locomotives and cab cars. “The flashing of the lights is designed to combine with the audible warning from the bells and horns to provide enhanced warnings in any areas where there are potential conflicts with a train,” the transit agency said.
To watch the wig wag train in action, click here.
What is the story behind the name “wig wag”? According to Sound Transit, “it refers to an old-fashioned railroad crossing indicator light, which was designed to swing back and forth to indicate a grade crossing. That swinging motion was said to be reminiscent of a dog wagging its tail—thus the name wig wag.”
While the wig wag train’s lights are the same as those on any other Link light rail vehicle at Sound Transit, control and wiring elements needed to be updated and tested to tie together the system of lights, horns, and bells that operators use.
“Sound Transit’s pilot project to test the effectiveness of the wig wag system on LRVs follows in the footsteps of several other light rail operators, including Twin Cities Metro Transit, which found its pilot so successful that it’s retrofitting its entire fleet with the feature,” Sound Transit reported. “During our pilot phase, the wig wag headlights will be evaluated by staff at Sound Transit and King County Metro to determine the path forward for the program.”
Coastal Link
Miami Today on March 19 reported that the proposed 13.5-mile Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit project to connect downtown Miami with Aventura is advancing. It would be the first segment of the 85-mile Coastal Link commuter rail line. In addition to using the existing railroad corridor shared with Brightline and freight services, the project would use the existing Brightline Miami Central and West Aventura stations, while adding five new stations in Wynwood, Design District, Little Haiti, North Miami Beach, and FIU North Campus.
In Miami-Dade County, “[b]oth the Transportation and the Appropriations committees approved adding $20 million to an engineering contract and the same amount to a transportation planning contract for the next two years,” the media outlet said. “Both would come from the half-percent transportation sales surtax [aka, the People’s Transportation Plan] that voters approved two decades ago to add transportation.”
In October, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) granted Miami-Dade County’s Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) approval to enter the engineering phase for the project (download fact sheet, top). This approval is part of the New Starts program under the Capital Investment Grants. The project received a “Medium-High” rating and was allowed to proceed with pre-award activities, such as commuter rail vehicle acquisition and procurement, under specific guidelines, according to DTPW. With an estimated cost of $927.3 million, the FTA also set a funding limit of $389.5 million (42%) for the project. DTPW was also allowed to proceed with Engineering activities, however at the county’s risk as the FTA’s appropriation must undergo standard federal budget approvals, according to DTPW. The Florida Department of Transportation has committed $200 million (22%) to the project, with the remaining funds provided by the People’s Transportation Plan, completing the local funding commitment.
According to Miami Today, Parsons Transportation Group will “analyze the project’s financial viability and funding strategies, evaluate fare policy to assess potential impacts on revenue and ridership, and estimate the route’s potential use,” and HNTB will “analyze the effects of proposed transit on road congestion and the county’s overall transportation.”
Miami-Dade County last year “began seeking an operating agency to take charge of the 13.5-mile corridor as the board of directors,” the media outlet reported. “Informal discussions have looked at Tri-Rail, Brightline and the county’s transit system to actually drive the trains.”
