Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Contactless Subway Turnstiles Are Here! (Well, Sort Of)
By
Madeleine Crenshaw
Published Jun 29, 2018
Modified Jun 29, 2018
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 .
Madeleine Crenshaw/ Gothamist
By
Madeleine Crenshaw
Published Jun 29, 2018
Modified Jun 29, 2018
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
You're one step closer to simply flicking your subcutaneous RFID hand implant in the general direction of a subway scanner/data harvester and gliding aboard a high-speed MTA monorail to the stars. The MTA will begin a gradual four-year phase out of the MetroCard next year, and now the first photos of a turnstile with a cardless scanner — like this one at Penn Station—have been popping up on Facebook and Instagram this week.
The MTA's forthcoming contactless turnstile system will support a custom smartphone app and cards with NFC technology. The app and interface are being designed by Cubic, which was awarded a $573 million contract to roll out the program last November.
The scanners will be installed at 500 turnstiles and on 600 buses starting next May, and eventually accept both Apple Pay and Google Pay. The MTA expects conctactless payment to be system-wide by 2023, by which time the MetroCard will be as quaint as a subway token.
The MTA began testing the contactless turnstiles last fall in select stations including Grand Central, Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center, 14th Street-Seventh Avenue, and Penn Station. These pilot turnstile scanners only work with the MTA's eTix app, which is meant to connect Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North, and subway riders. An MTA spokesperson confirmed that the scanners are being used for an employee-only pilot that is currently underway.
Tagged
metrocards
subway
technology
the future
Madeleine Crenshaw
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bronx woman found dead and infant in critical condition after balcony fall, NYPD says
Police say it's still unclear whether the pair jumped, fell or were pushed.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 7:28 a.m. ET
After Trump defunding, thousands losing rental assistance in NYC may finally have relief
The Trump administration issued new guidance outlining a plan to replace expiring rental assistance vouchers with a new program.
By
David Brand
News
After Trump defunding, thousands losing rental assistance in NYC may finally have relief
The Trump administration issued new guidance outlining a plan to replace expiring rental assistance vouchers with a new program.
By
David Brand
Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules
By
Samantha Max
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
By
Giulia Heyward
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
By
Caroline Lewis
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 .