Extra, Extra
Extra, Extra
Extra, Extra
Extra, Extra
Early Addition
Have you sworn at the subway turnstile/bus display that says "Insufficient fare"? Have you suffered "Turnstile Groin" after trying to walk through with an insufficient fare Metrocard? Or do you hate the Metrocard vending machine with a secret passion?
There may be a solution. It turns out that the MTA's Easy Pay program originally designed for express bus commuters is also available for subway and bus riders. Much like EZ Pass, the EasyPay Metrocard is linked to a bank account which will put money onto your card when it goes below $25. The bummer is that this doesn't apply to unlimited cards, but it does give the pay-per-ride discounts.
A publishing intern tells the Daily News, "It probably is a good idea for people who have a more stable bank account than me," which is true - the opening balance needed to set up the account is $50. But when the MTA allows monthly cards to be purchased this way, we bet tons of people will sign up.
Here's the EasyPay XPress FAQ. And, some day, Gothamist would also like the subway turnstiles to show when our unlimited cards expire.
add to digg
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
add to facebook
add to del.icio.us
I too would love for the turnstile to tell me when my monthly metrocard will expire. As for the link to the bank account, having it refill your metrocard when it dips below 25 seems a bit premature for me. I'd prefer if it could wait until you were below ten, perhaps. Of course, back in the day when I didn't use unlimited, I only ever bout $20 at a time because my ass was broke.
That's what those little swipey machines off to the side of the turnstiles (or next to the machines where you buy the cards) are for: they tell you how much money you have left on your card or when it expires.
Right -- when the "little swipey machines" happen to work. Frequently they don't, and now that the token booths have become nothing but nap huts for the clerks (they won't re-up your card or do really anything at all for you) you're stuck with those g-damned vending machines.
There should be a few buttons on the first screen with the main options, and maybe a second screen with the method of payment. But some sadistic a-hole decided hurried commuters should burrow through five or six screens to buy a damned card -- as the train you want rolls out of the station.
When you swipe your card on the bus it tells you your expiration date...the expiration readers don't always work and at some stations aren't in plain view.
My biggest pet peeve is at smaller/remote stations or entrances where there is no booth -- often I'll find only one machine working and even it isn't taking bills or giving receipts.
More than aware that that's what those machines are for, but as Damian said, they frequently don't work. And when the stations are crowded, it can be hard to get to them without shoving someone out of your way in the middle of your morning or evening commute (when you're probably in a rush yourself to begin with). And really, there's no reason why, if the turnstile can tell you how many dollars are left on your card they can't tell you how many days are left on your card.
...and call me when i can apply online.
... and call me when i can apply online.
Seriously! How hard is it to create an online application. Does MTA seriously expect me to:
1) Open the PDF
2) Click print
3) Get out of my seat and pick up the print out (GASP!)
4) Find a pen
5) Fill out the application
6) Find an envelope
7) Stick a stamp on that
8) Drop it off in the mailbox!
As previous posted: Call me when it's online...
yeah that application online - if you could happen to find it on the confusing site - was some BS.
I write my Metrocard expiration date on the card with a permanent marker.
it might be a blessing in disguise when those machines dont take cash. you should always swipe so you can keep track and if you lose it your unlimited or $50 metrocard, they can replace it. keep the receipt too!
it might be a blessing in disguise that those machines don't take cash. you should always charge it so they can track it if you lose your card. and keep the receipt! the mta can track anything they want!!!