Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
First Look At The Smartphone App That Will Kill The MetroCard
By
Stephen Nessen
and
WNYC Staff
Published Jun 13, 2018
Modified Apr 18, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Stephen Nessen / Gothamist
By
Stephen Nessen
and
WNYC Staff
Published Jun 13, 2018
Modified Apr 18, 2019
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Reporters and investors got a first peek at the app the MTA will use when it begins replacing the MetroCard next year.
The company Cubic, which created the current MetroCard system, has been hired again to bring New York a customized app and scanner, similar to what's already being used in Chicago and will be similar to systems used in Vancouver and London.
The company demoed its latest app, which will be released first in Chicago, at an "investor day" on the New York Stock exchange on Wednesday.
"The whole purpose of this app is it becomes your single tool to navigate your city," Robert Sprogis, Cubic Global Product Developer for mobile, said.
Sprogis said each city can customize which features it wants to add. Chicago, for example, will show subway, and bus options, schedules, as well as how many bikes at your closest bike share dock are available. The MTA said details about a possible integration with Citi Bike were still “TBD.”
The MTA signed a $573 million contract with Cubic last November. It plans to install 500 electric readers at 500 turnstiles and on 600 buses starting next May. And the entire system is expected to be converted to the new system by 2023.
The first wave of subway turnstiles will support smart phones and cards with NFC. But the contactless pay technology is expected to eventually support Apple Pay, Google Pay, and RFID.
Matthew Cole, President of Cubic Transportation Systems, is confident that his latest technology will be durable enough to withstand the daily battering New Yorkers inflict on subway stations.
"We have systems out in the world that have been standing up to the test of time and the environment for a long time. You don't have to look to far from here to see the MetroCard system, which perhaps is a really great example of that, which has been operating after a couple of decades and handling millions and millions of journeys every single day," he said.
When a reporter arched his eyebrow and reminded him of the daily vitriol he's witnessed being hurled at the MetroCard machines with broken credit card readers, or turnstiles that refuse to read cards after repeated swipes, Cole didn't bother defending it.
"Sounds like you're going to be an early adopter of the new system," he said.
Buckle up; here's a look at the app in action:
And here's a reminder to enjoy making precious memories with your MetroCard while you still can:
Tagged
contactless payment
cubic
MTA
subway
we the commuters
original
Stephen Nessen
Stephen Nessen covers transportation. Since 2008 he has reported on everything from Occupy Wall Street, the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site, Hurricane Sandy, to Trump’s campaign for president. His transportation reporting has taken him everywhere from the MTA’s secret Rail Control Center to the gleaming subways of Seoul. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
WNYC Staff
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
F and G lines grind to a halt as signal issues slows Friday night rush
The MTA's ongoing signal problems came amid a national flight stoppage.
By
David Giambusso
Published Nov 13, 2026 at 7:38 p.m. ET
As FAA resumes air travel, NYC and NJ travelers should expect long delays, experts warn
The Federal Aviation Administration lifted a ground stop for all U.S. airports following a “temporary telecommunications outage” on Friday evening.
By
Charles Lane
News
As FAA resumes air travel, NYC and NJ travelers should expect long delays, experts warn
The Federal Aviation Administration lifted a ground stop for all U.S. airports following a “temporary telecommunications outage” on Friday evening.
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani declines to back fellow New Yorker Schumer as Senate majority leader
By
Brigid Bergin
Mayor Mamdani appoints ex-DSA chair as new NYC nightlife director
By
Elizabeth Kim
First Code Blue of the winter season arrives in New York City
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .