By: Jordan Baker

New Yorkers have a tasty reason to celebrate as the iconic MetroCard nears retirement at the end of 2025. As amNY first reported, the MTA has partnered with six of the city’s most famous eateries and retailers for a months-long farewell campaign, giving subway and bus riders a chance to enjoy MetroCard-themed meals, desserts, and drinks while ushering in the era of tap-and-go OMNY payments.

The participating establishments include Carvel, Golden Krust, Zabar’s, Gong cha, Alidoro, and Stretch Pizza by Wylie Dufresne, each offering limited-edition menu items inspired by the yellow-and-blue transit card. According to amNY, the initiative is meant to honor the MetroCard’s 31-year legacy while celebrating the convenience of the new contactless system.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber emphasized the significance of the promotion at a Friday event in midtown, stating, “We’re sending the MetroCard off in style with a farewell campaign that is worthy of an icon by partnering with some of the City’s most celebrated food vendors. MetroCard has served us well, but we’re excited for the future of tap-and-ride.” amNY first reported the event, which included appearances by MTA New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow and Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara, alongside the restaurant partners.

The themed offerings are as varied as the city itself. Alidoro is introducing the “La Tessera” sandwich — a crispy chicken cutlet layered with soppressata, fresh mozzarella, Calabrian chili vodka sauce, and garlic pesto cream on toasted semolina baguette. Carvel is celebrating with the MetroCard Flying Saucer, round ice cream sandwiches featuring vanilla ice cream and blue-and-yellow sprinkles between chocolate cookies, plus free MetroCard Sprinkles with ice cream purchases. amNY reported that store manager Jessica Wong called the promotion “very nostalgic,” noting the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to a city staple.

Other participants are equally inventive. Golden Krust is offering free Jamaican coco bread with its signature patty. Gong cha is serving the “M Tea A Drink,” a limited-edition milk foam green tea adorned with pearls, butterfly pea flower milk foam, and a chocolate MTA logo. Stretch Pizza features the Metro pizza with vodka sauce, fior di latte, chicken cutlet, spicy Calabrian chili, garlic pesto cream, and parmesan. Meanwhile, Zabar’s is rolling out MetroCard-themed cookies. amNY first reported that customers flocked to Carvel Woodside just one day after the promo began to sample the Flying Saucers.

The farewell festivities extend beyond food. Through December, commuters can visit pop-up events at stations and customer service centers, posing with MetroCard, token, and OMNY props, and hearing tributes from famous New Yorkers. The New York Transit Museum will also release MetroCard-themed products, and MTA licensee Only NY will debut additional merchandise later in the year, according to amNY.

The MetroCard officially retires on Dec. 31, 2025, when the OMNY contactless system fully replaces the three-decade-old swipe method. OMNY allows riders to pay with phones, contactless credit and debit cards, or OMNY cards purchased at vending machines and select retailers.