Straphangers could possibly be swiping MetroCards for another six years, according to findings revealed to the MTA on Wednesday.
MTA planners revealed that its "tap-and-go" replacement for the ubiquitous floppy cards might not be fully phased in until 2022.
The new system, which the MTA is planning on beginning to phase in starting in 2018, is expected to to cost more than $600 million.
The new payment system should let riders hold their phone or a card to a turnstile reader instead of swiping their way through.
If it does take until 2022 for the new system to be fully implemented, the MetroCard will have been in use at subway stations and bus stops for 19 years.