newyork.localmean.com/metrocard
MetroCard
MEH-troh-kard
Local meaning
The magnetic-stripe fare card introduced for New York City subways and buses in the 1990s and long associated with swiping through a turnstile.
MetroCard changed daily transit language: riders added value, bought unlimited passes, swiped in, and asked for a swipe. OMNY is replacing many of those habits with tapping, but MetroCard vocabulary remains deeply recognizable and some services continue during the transition.
Example in context
- “My MetroCard didn’t read on the first swipe.”
How it is used
An official New York City Transit product and a major part of modern city culture.
neutral, practical, historically familiar
subway entrances, buses, fare machines, transit history
An official New York City Transit product and a major part of modern city culture.
Availability and accepted fare products are time-sensitive, so riders should verify current MTA instructions.
Spelling and scope
An official New York City Transit product and a major part of modern city culture.
- Search forms
MetroCard meaningNYC MetroCard swipeMetroCard vs OMNY
LocalMean keeps common search spellings discoverable without claiming that every borough, community, or generation uses one written form.
Frequently asked questions
Why do people say swipe a MetroCard?
The card’s magnetic stripe is read by moving it through a turnstile slot at the required speed.
Is MetroCard the same as OMNY?
No. MetroCard uses a magnetic stripe, while OMNY is a contactless tap system.
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
These sources support the regional association, dictionary sense, or broader spread. The entry remains open to correction from New York speakers and qualified reviewers.
- Mobile sales buses and vansMetropolitan Transportation Authority
Current MTA information on MetroCard support, OMNY assistance, value transfer, card sales, and mobile customer-service locations.
- OMNYMetropolitan Transportation Authority
Official information on New York’s contactless fare-payment system, accepted payment methods, fare capping, and OMNY cards.