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Now in its fourth year, the MTA says that the EasyPay Xpress Metrocard is picking up steam as an option for commuters who prepay into an account because they don't want to wait at another out-of-service touchscreen machine when their card balance runs out. However, we're not so sure that the MTA has found a cash cow to help with their revenue woes. A spokesman tells today's Post that of the 15,000+ accounts signed up for in 2008, 11,451 of them initiated between March and December. But isn't that basically a consistent pace—maybe even a slowdown from the amount of people who signed up in January and February '08? Maybe the card would really catch on if the MTA took a suggestion lobbed at the program since the get-go—to make the option available for frequent subway and bus riders who use unlimited cards. For some reason, why unlimited ride cards aren't part of the "Easy Pay" program isn't even addressed on MTA's FAQ for the card. In the meantime, unlimited users will continue to suffer the indignity of "Turnstile Groin" as we swipe and wonder if today is our mysterious expiration date.
Is EasyPay XPress Really Giving Commuters an E-Z Pass?
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"our mysterious expiration date"
Mysterious? It's displayed every time you swipe the card.
I've never understood why the 30-day metrocards didn't count down to expiry. I assumed it was for safety reasons, in that a new 30-day card telegraphed to the person behind you that you were carrying $80.
However, it would be nice if it started counting down for the last 7 days, so that you don't experience "turnstile groin."
Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking. Of course, you just get "OK" on the display. Except on buses; those displays do show you the expiration date.
I got one of the XPress MetroCards to have as a backup to my 30-day unlimited, for times when I needed a pay-per-ride like on the Air Train or PATH. Oh, wait it doesn't work on Air Train or PATH. And they don't tell you your account number until you get your first statement--after 4 months--so you can't cancel it until then. Thanks for telling me these things before I signed up.
I've never even heard of it. I can't believe they don't publicize this. But I guess I'm expecting common sense from the MTA. They're still getting over letting you pay by credit card. Y'know, like everyone else starting doing IN THE LAST MILLENNIUM.
I made the mistake of getting overly excited when MTA came out with Easypay Xpress card because it gave me some false hope that I wouldn't ever have to deal with "out of order" refill stations anymore. Also, that I would have one card for metro transport as I live in Jersey City and use the PATH regularly. Oh but that was certainly not the case.
The day I received my card by mail I put it to use immediately at the PATH station and practically rolled over the turnstile and fell on my face. At that point I thought I fell on my face when I came to the realization that Easypay Xpress would be useless at the PATH. MTA really did a fascinating job when they stated that the card can only be used for "local bus and subway fares" so here I am thinking that PATH is considered to be "local"...HA! This is absolutely false advertisement by the MTA, at least SmartLink states that its limited to NJ. Needless to say, now I have two cards to deal with instead of the one that I was looking forward to utilizing.