Live from the NYC Transit Museum on the last day of the MetroCard
Just sad I couldn't attend a MetroCard funeral as well (yes, real).
On New Year’s Eve, my friend Emem and I were struggling to plan a hang during that limited window when the City is quiet for the holidays. To that end, I pitched the Brooklyn Museum to see the Monet exhibition, but Emem had recently gone.
Next, I suggested Vato, the new Park Slope tortilleria and bakery. I’ve recently become obsessed with their sourdough tortillas, but alas, it was closed. With options waning, I hit her with my closer: the Transit Museum. I had heard that the museum was a sleeper hit for all ages, but most importantly, it felt fitting because it was the last day of the MetroCard. The confluence of the last day of the year and the last day of the MetroCard felt poetic.
During the holidays, I admit I was driving more because finding parking was so much easier with folks out of town. But for this occasion, I naturally opted to take the train. After a quick glance around in the subway station, I didn’t clock any actual MetroCards in use. Looks like the MetroCard may have already crossed the River Styx…
Off the train, I learned that the museum is housed in the decommissioned Court Street subway station a short walk from Borough Hall. As I made my way there, I realized I wasn’t the only one who decided to commemorate the MetroCard by visiting the museum. There was a sizable crowd outside the museum waiting for the next entry.
On gift shops.
While I waited for our entry time and for Emem to join me, I perused the bustling gift shop. I love a museum gift shop and this one did not disappoint. From cuff links to tea towels to ugly Christmas sweaters, the MetroCard was forever memorialized with a wide range of merchandise. I bought a small MetroCard puzzle for myself and a MetroCard shot glass for Emem before making my way into the museum.
I rushed through the other exhibits to head straight to Farewell, MetroCard because I came in with a vision. I wanted to learn as much about MetroCard as I could in its final moments.
You’re a technological feat, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
What I learned might surprise you: the MetroCard has only been around for 32 years (since 1993), and it was considered a technological feat at the time. Before that, we were using clunky subway tokens, which were easy to evade.
“Fare evasion happens to be one of my favorite categories of TikToks.”
The idea was that the MetroCard would put an end to fare evasion—LOL. Fare evasion happens to be one of my favorite categories of TikToks. Despite its flaws, I learned how much the MTA has been evolving year-over-year since the MetroCard’s introduction. For something we love to mock, the MTA has quietly been at both innovative and at the center of NYC culture.
Do you have one of the commemorative MetroCards?
I left feeling proud to have made New York my home almost 14 years ago. Obviously, this is how I celebrated (see picture below).
How did you celebrate the end of an era? Did you attend a MetroCard funeral or snag any of the promotional meals from Zabar’s or Carvel?
The tumult in the heart.
I leave you with some Poetry in Motion (IYKYK) that feels inspiring for the beginning of a new year.
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I want to try Vato so bad! But lines