The New York City Transit Authority (MTA) is offering a piece of New York's public transit history for sale, auctioning off decommissioned MetroCard Vending Machines (MVM) and MetroCard Express Machines (MEM). Bids for the heavy-duty machines, some weighing over 1,000 pounds, start at $1,500 and the auction runs through August 19.
This marks the first time the public can purchase these steel dispensers, which were a fixture for commuters for nearly three decades before being retired in favor of the OMNY system. The MTA stated that a limited number of machines are available and encouraged interested parties to bid on a piece of transit history.
The MVM, first installed in 1999, allowed riders to purchase or reload MetroCards using cash, credit, or debit cards. These machines measure approximately 80 inches long, 42 inches wide, and 36 inches deep, weighing about 1,050 pounds. The MEM, a more compact model for credit and debit transactions only, is about 21 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 42 inches high, weighing approximately 210 pounds. All electronic and payment processing components have been removed from the machines, and they are being sold in non-operational, "as-is" condition.
Buyers will be responsible for pickup and transportation of the machines within 10 days of purchase. Pickup locations are in Brooklyn and Queens, with specific details provided after payment is received. The MTA will not offer loading assistance or equipment.
The auction has drawn criticism from some online, who have accused the MTA of exploiting nostalgia for financial gain. Comments on social media suggest the sale is a "scam" or a "blatant money-grab," with some questioning the necessity of selling "garbage" to raise funds. Others reacted with humor, joking about the machines' potential condition or the impact on personal lives.
Despite the skepticism, the MTA highlights the machines as iconic elements of the city's subway system, familiar to millions of daily riders. The MetroCard system itself was officially retired in 2025, with OMNY, a contactless fare payment system, serving as its successor.