{"id":6773,"date":"2026-08-05T18:00:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T18:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=6773"},"modified":"2026-08-05T18:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T18:00:12","slug":"new-york-city-transit-auctions-off-last-metrocard-machines-wild-home-decor-idea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=6773","title":{"rendered":"New York City transit auctions off last MetroCard machines: \u2018wild home decor idea\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"08519e41-a6dd-43a9-b88b-16a1745ad8e5\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A MetroCard vending machine\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d2684027be994cdab3ab6530a29b8066fee8acc2\/0_0_2251_1801\/master\/2251.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"372.04131497112394\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">A MetroCard vending machine in a New York City subway station on 13 July 2025.<\/span> Photograph: Reggie Lewis\/Newsday via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"08519e41-a6dd-43a9-b88b-16a1745ad8e5\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">A MetroCard vending machine in a New York City subway station on 13 July 2025.<\/span> Photograph: Reggie Lewis\/Newsday via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">New York City transit auctions off last MetroCard machines: \u2018wild home decor idea\u2019<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gm5ptv\">\n<p>The MTA will sell its remaining machines that weigh up to 1,050lb as it transitions to contactless fare payment system<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/new-york\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">New York<\/a> City has begun auctioning off its final MetroCard vending machines, offering New Yorkers the chance to own one of the transit system\u2019s most recognizable fixtures as the agency continues its transition to Omny.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The auction opened on Wednesday morning and will run through 19 August, according to the MTA. The agency is offering a limited number of retired MetroCard Vending Machines (MVM) and MetroCard Express Machines (MEM), which have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2025\/dec\/31\/new-york-city-metrocard-retired\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">served subway riders<\/a> for decades.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cFirst installed in 1999, the colorful metal MVM and MEM are familiar to the millions of riders who take the subway each day,\u201d the MTA said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mta.info\/article\/mvm-mem-sale\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The MTA\u2019s media liaison, Joana Flores, confirmed the agency was auctioning off the very last of the machines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cToday, we began auctioning off the last MetroCard vending machines. There are a total of 60,\u201d Flores said. The last remaining public-facing machine is located in Greenwich Village\u2019s Mulry Square, she said, and now displays a QR code for commuters to scan should they be interested in making a bid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The larger MetroCard Vending Machines, first installed in 1999, allowed riders to buy and reload MetroCards using cash, credit and debit cards. Each machine measures 80in long, 42in wide and 36in deep (203cm x 107cm x 91cm), and weighs a whopping 1,050lb (476kg).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The smaller MetroCard Express Machines, introduced later to ease congestion at busy stations by accepting only credit and debit card payments, measure 21in long, 14in wide and 42in, and weigh about 210lb.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The MTA said all machines were being sold as-is in non-operational condition after their electronic and payment processing components were removed. Successful bidders will be required to pay in full on the day they are notified and arrange pickup within 10 days. Buyers are responsible for loading and transporting the heavy machines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Flores said the MTA was also holding a public sweepstakes in conjunction with the auction. Fifteen winners will be selected in a random drawing to receive VIP early access to the agency\u2019s annual transit memorabilia pop-up sale in October, along with a 20% discount on purchases.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cIf, let\u2019s say, there isn\u2019t enough interest during the auction, and we do have MetroCard vending machines at the end of 19 August, then we would just put them up for sale at the pop-up sale,\u201d Flores said. \u201cBut usually, these things are hot ticket items \u2013 they tend to go fast.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The MetroCard, once synonymous with being a New York City subway commuter, was also a popular vehicle for promotions, with the city issuing several commemorative editions, including one to mark baseball\u2019s home team World Series between the Mets and the Yankees in 2000.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Many famous musicians graced the card over the years, such as David Bowie, Olivia Rodrigo, the Wu-Tang Clan, the Notorious BIG and LL Cool J, as did New York-centric TV shows such as Seinfeld and Law &amp; Order.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Some social media users have already <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/mta.info\/post\/3msdjga2k4k2t\/quotes\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">expressed interest<\/a> in placing bids, with comments such as \u201cWild home decor idea\u201d and \u201cSo tempted by this\u201d responding to the MTA\u2019s announcement. The NPR gameshow host Peter Sagal <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/petersagal.bsky.social\/post\/3msdndxakb22b\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">wrote<\/a>: \u201cI haven\u2019t been a New Yorker since 1998 but I really, really want one.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The auction comes as the MTA continues replacing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/culture\/gallery\/2014\/may\/27\/new-york-metro-card-subway-anniversary-designs\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">MetroCards<\/a> with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2019\/jun\/04\/metrocard-omny-new-york-subway-contactless-payment-tap-in-\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Omny<\/a>, its contactless fare payment system.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cWe\u2019re no longer selling MetroCards, but we are accepting MetroCards,\u201d Flores said. There is no date yet for when the transit system plans to fully convert to contactless payments and stop accepting the classic yellow cards, but Flores said there will come a day when the agency will \u201ctransition fully over to the tap and ride system\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/new-york\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">New York<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/cities\/city-transport\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">City transport<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=New%20York%20City%20transit%20auctions%20off%20last%20MetroCard%20machines:%20%E2%80%98wild%20home%20decor%20idea%E2%80%99&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/05\/new-york-city-transit-metrocard-machines-auction?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Faug%2F05%2Fnew-york-city-transit-metrocard-machines-auction&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/aug\/05\/new-york-city-transit-metrocard-machines-auction\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1kq7f60\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A MetroCard vending machine in a New York City subway station on 13 July 2025. Photograph: Reggie Lewis\/Newsday<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":6775,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-us-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6773"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6773\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6776,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6773\/revisions\/6776"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6775"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}