Vending

NYC deploying vending machines for new fare system

Photo: Dragoș Asaftei - stock.adobe.com

February 20, 2026

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New vending machines for the OMNY fare system in New York City are set to arrive soon at Jamaica Station for the JFK AirTrain, marking another step in the transition away from MetroCards and toward contactless payments.

The development first gained attention through a viral social media post showing signage announcing the upcoming machines, according to a Time Out New York report. Jamaica Station, one of the city's busiest transit hubs and long known for lines at ticket machines, has gradually been phasing out legacy MetroCard equipment since the broader systemwide shift began in early 2026.

The AirTrain continued relying on physical MetroCards for years even as other parts of the transit system moved toward tap-to-pay options, often forcing travelers to wait in long lines to buy a card they might use only once. The new OMNY kiosks are intended to close that gap by allowing riders without smartphones or contactless credit cards to access the system. They will allow users to purchase and reload physical OMNY cards using cash or credit.

Although contactless payments are already accepted at Jamaica and Howard Beach AirTrain stations, dedicated vending machines have been missing since MetroCard sales were phased out. According to information attributed to the Port Authority, existing MetroCards with remaining balances can still be used at gates for now, though most on-site sales have stopped.

Vending