NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- MTA booth workers will end cash transactions and will no longer swap out riders' damaged MetroCards, officials announced on Wednesday.
“We currently do not plan to resume cash transactions in the booths,” MTA chief safety officer Pat Warren said during a news conference.
Hand-to-hand transactions were banned at subway booths in March 2020 during the start of the pandemic as transit officials feared workers would be put at risk of catching COVID-19.
According to Warren, OMNY — the MTA’s new tap-and-pay fare system will fully replace MetroCards by the end of 2023 and will no longer need workers in booths.
Riders will still be able to use cash to purchase MetroCards at vending machines in subway stations.
Booth workers will also no longer swap customers' damaged or expired MetroCards and will have to mail in any damaged MetroCards to get replacements.