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Well played, MTA: All the Metrocard vending machines in the city went down during yesterday morning's rush hour. Between 6:52AM and 9:24AM, a computer malfunction prevented straphangers from buying their Metrocards with credit or ATM cards, and people waited on line to buy Metrocards from...gasp - token booth clerks! Gothamist says good luck with finding them, many of the subway entrances we use are converted to Metrocard vending machine and gated entrance swipers only. The Daily News says some people even had to leave the subway stations to retrieve money from home or an ATM in order to buy Metrocards! Aha - not only has the MTA spoiled us, but the consortium of banks and credit card companies has also. One day we dream that we can refill Metrocards online.
Sometimes Gothamist is fortunate enough to have an extra Metrocard with just one ride in our wallet for emergency situations. The only problem is when we use it, we sometimes forget we need a new emergency card. Do you have an emergency Metrocard?
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yes, i have a backup metrocard. mainly its if my friends from out of town, who dont have unlimiteds, and there is a train coming and there isnt time to buy one, i swipe them with the backup.
also, i think the DC metro allows you to refill cards online. but then again, they also have the smart cards.
It was just the credit card feature that wasn't working- I left the station, got cash, came back and bought a $20 card easy as pie. It still sucked big time.
That explains he crazy line yesterday morning. What a great way to start the week courtesy of the MTA!
I keep 2 just in case one is empty or just fubar...
Who needs token clerks, right? Because machines never break... machines are our friends...
Now Spitzer can go after the vending machines for violating the Taylor Law!
Yesterday morning, the vending machine charged my card 2x for one 30-day card. My credit card company put a hold on my card for "unusual activity" - two MTA purchases, so once I got to Penn Station, I couldn't purchase train tickets! Now the MTA says I can't file a claim until a week after the incident. Sux.
Chococat sez "I hate Mondays."
This proves we need railroad clerks in the token booth selling things.
As for a back up MetroCard, I don't have one per se, but I have a pay per ride that I use when I take PATH, so that serves as a back up. Plus I have a $2.00 MetroCard that I found on a platform in my wallet. (And for some reason I seem to have a Washington Metro Farecard with $2.90 on it.) Then again I used to carry a couple of subway tokens with me at all times just in case.
I have an extra card that serves as a backup to my unlimited and also as a way to use the PATH.
Speaking as a ex-DC resident, you can buy smartrip cards online, but can't refill them there. Although they do have a credit card with a smartrip card built in.
I have a backup MetroCard that I used on Sunday and forgot to replace. I was late to begin with yesterday and had no cash. So I jumped the turnstyle... twice. Probably not the best way to get to work, but I was pretty pissed off about being told to go find an ATM.
let me say it again, kiddies:
MERCURY RETROGRADE
look it up -- and back up your computers and keep track of your cell phones for the next three weeks.
I have a backup - a leftover from a $20 my dad got when he was in town. Proved especially useful when my little sister had her first subway experience - she managed to swipe through after about twelve tries, and then turns around to gloat about having managed it - and doesn't actually go through the turnstile.
To be fair, she is only 10. But seriously.
hey, cingular wireless is down citywide this morning...(tuesday morning) what is up with that....?
Well, there's my reminder that I just gave my emergency (aka crap I'm late for work and will be later if I buy a new unlimited) to my friend in from out of town.
But, yes, keep an extra, particularly since I take the bus to the train a lot.
I keep a metrocard taped to my bike with black tape You can't see it, but it's better than any spare tube. I have definitely flatted before and been really close to SOL.
I wonder if this is related to the Citibank mass security breach.
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/06/citibank_security_br.html
Whenever I try to buy a Metrocard with a credit card, I have to try multiple machines in various stations before I can find one that is actually working. Incredibly frustrating. Anyone else find that to be a problem?