How to use the MTA eTix app
- Download the free MTA eTix app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and set up an account before you travel.
- Buy your mobile ticket in advance of travel. You can find purchased tickets in your Ticket Wallet.
- Activate your ticket just before you board your train. A conductor will validate the ticket on your phone.
Tickets purchased using the app cost the same as those purchased at a ticket machine.
If you need a combined ticket to transfer to another transit system, like a subway, bus or ferry, please purchase a paper ticket instead.
You can also use the app for refunds, receipts, and account updates. If you’re not seeing purchased tickets in your Ticket Wallet, make sure you’re logged in.
How to buy tickets
- Log into your account and select the ticket you want to buy. Enter your payment information and confirm the transaction.
- Find purchased tickets in the app’s Ticket Wallet. A receipt will automatically be sent to your email address.
For a step-by-step guide to buying tickets, read our tutorial. Buying tickets requires cell connectivity or Wi-Fi. (You don’t need cell service or Wi-Fi to activate your ticket and have it validated by a conductor.)
Note: Screenshots or videos of MTA eTix tickets are strictly prohibited. Additionally, the exchange or sharing of MTA eTix tickets via AirDrop or any other means is also strictly prohibited. Customers attempting to present shared tickets of any kind will be required by the conductor to purchase a new ticket at the onboard rate.
Types of tickets you can buy
- One-Way
- Round-Trip
- 10-Trip
- 20-Trip
- Weekly
- Monthly
- CityTicket
- Reduced-Fare
- Child and Family Fare
- Military
Atlantic Tickets, UniTickets, Meadowlands tickets, group tickets, and getaway packages are not available for purchase using the app.
Payment options
You can use a credit or debit card, and you can split the payment between two cards. The eTix app accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express cards. You can also use digital wallets like Apple Pay and Master Pass. Note that digital wallets do not accept transit benefit cards or split payments.
You can now have Mail&Ride tickets automatically delivered using MTA eTix.
Onboard the train
While onboard the train, the conductor may ask to scan your ticket. Scanning is an essential part of our efforts to ensure full fare collection on all trains. All eTix are subject to scanning, just as all paper tickets are subject to inspection.
Common reasons tickets are scanned:
- You activated your ticket as the crew member began checking tickets in your car.
- Tip: Always activate your ticket just before boarding the train.
- The actual time and the time displayed on the app do not match.
- Tip: Do not change the time on your phone.
- On various days throughout the month, crew members may be instructed to scan a particular type of ticket (such as a monthly) on all trains on a particular branch or branches. As a result, your ticket may be scanned while the ticket presented by another customer in your train car will not be scanned.
- Additional indicators displayed on the app may prompt a crew member to scan your ticket.
If your ticket cannot be accepted after scanning:
Please provide an alternate ticket or pay the onboard fare, retain all documentation, and contact us as soon as possible.
Upon receipt of appropriate documentation, we will investigate. If the ticket presented is found to have been valid, we will provide reimbursement for additional ticket expenses incurred. Crew members will not be able to investigate and reach a determination on the train. Thank you for your cooperation.
How to get a refund
Unactivated tickets can be canceled within 2 minutes of purchase to receive a full refund.
Once the 2 minutes have elapsed, you will receive a partial refund for the unused portion of the ticket. All refunds are subject to a $10.00 fee. A one-way ticket that has been activated is considered used and is non-refundable.
You can initiate a refund of non-activated, non-expired mobile tickets by tapping on the “Actions” button displayed on the ticket, and then selecting the "Refund Ticket" option. Money will be returned to the credit/debit card used to purchase the ticket and a receipt will automatically be sent to the email address associated with your account.
For all other eTix refund requests or inquiries, please contact us directly by calling 511.
Get help
You can call Customer Service at 511. If you’re outside New York state, dial 877-690-5114.
Or, email us. Metro-North riders can file a claim online.
When using the app, carrier charges may apply for data usage. We're not responsible for carrier data charges incurred while using the app.
Help with common tasks
Finding and activating your mobile ticket
Purchased tickets show in your Ticket Wallet. You must activate your ticket just before boarding your train.
Go to your Ticket Wallet and tap the “Activate Ticket” button for the applicable ticket. Tickets stay active for the duration of your trip. (Monthly and weekly tickets stay active for the duration of the ticket. You don’t need to reactive them each time they’re used.)
Show your activated ticket to the conductor when asked. The conductor will validate your ticket visually, by looking at the colors on the screen, or electronically, by scanning the barcoded screen. Conductors can’t accept tickets displayed in grayscale.
You don’t need cell connectivity to activate and display your ticket. Note: Changing the time on your phone will automatically change the status of your ticket or tickets to used or expired.
If you’re unable to show your mobile ticket on your phone, you’ll need to pay the higher onboard fare.
Activating more than one ticket at a time
You can have multiple tickets for others in your party on the same device. Activate each ticket and swipe through them to show the conductor.
Deactivating your mobile ticket
You cannot deactivate a ticket after it’s been activated.
Using tickets before they expire
Mobile tickets are valid for the same amount of time as paper tickets. After a mobile ticket expires, you won’t be able to use it for travel or get a refund.
Buying weekly tickets in advance
Weekly tickets are valid for a set time-frame (Saturday-Friday) and you can buy them as early as the Wednesday before the Saturday that they will become valid. Note: You cannot buy weekly tickets more than one week in advance.
Any portion of the weekly ticket not used within the validity period will appear as EXPIRED and will not be accepted for travel.
Buying monthly tickets in advance
Monthly tickets are available for purchase beginning on the 25th of the preceding month. For example, you can purchase a December monthly ticket as early as Nov. 25. Please note, however, that you will not be able to use that ticket until Dec. 1. The last day to purchase a monthly ticket for the current month is the 11th and it will only be valid for the remainder of that month.
For security, you’ll be asked to verify you card security code each time you buy a ticket.
Using MTA eTix for Mail&Ride tickets
Create an MTA eTix account. Log into your Mail&Ride account and change your ticket delivery option to “eTix.”
Your ticket will automatically show in your Ticket Wallet each month. You will be able to get a refund for unused or partially used Mail&Ride tickets, in line with the current Mail&Ride ticket refund policy.
Buying tickets through a pre-tax employer benefits program
You can buy a ticket through a pre-tax program. If the cost of the ticket exceeds the amount in the program, you may purchase the remainder of the ticket using an additional credit/debit card.