Instagram Creators Design Limited-Edition NYC MetroCards

Overheard New York, New York Nico and Subway Takes contributed

Three of New York City’s top creators—@overheardnewyork, @newyorknico and @subwaytakes—have crafted limited-edition MetroCards available through month’s end at 12 subway stations. The MTA teamed up with Instagram on the project.

Over the years, the MTA has issued limited-edition designs featuring icons and brands including Notorious B.I.G., the New York Yankees and Supreme, sparking a frenzy among collectors eager to get their hands on the collectibles.

But the MetroCard-as-canvas is about to be a thing of the past. The MTA is phasing out the cards altogether in favor of the contact fare payment system OMNY.

Here, Overheard New York, which famously shares the hilarious, ridiculous and unbelievable things New Yorkers hear while out and about, talks about being part of the final collab:

MUSE: How did you react when the MTA reached out? As someone who loves New York, I have to imagine it’s quite an honor.

Overheard New York: This is a full-circle moment for Overheard New York. We’ve always been about celebrating the voices of the city, and now our voice gets to ride with New Yorkers for a bit. It’s a tiny piece of history we’re incredibly proud.

How did you choose the Overheard snippet shared on the cards?

We wanted to choose a “classic” New York quote that captures the spirit, humor and essence of our city. Overheard became a beloved brand by communal eavesdropping. And this quote embodies that raw, unfiltered voice that makes NYC so unique. We thought this was the perfect way to bring humor to commuters while paying tribute to this amazing city that we all love and love to hate.

I wear my headphones on the subway, but I never listen to music because I want to eavesdrop! Am I unusual in that? Or is the subway swarming with eavesdroppers pretending to be tuned out?

You are definitely not alone. We get so many submissions from people on the subway who have told us the same thing—they love to eavesdrop. That, or they don’t want anyone to talk to them. With so many New Yorkers from all over the city commuting together, it’s the perfect place to overhear something entertaining. 

Why are we so curious about what other people are talking about?

Who isn’t? We’re nosy by nature.