Comments on: Requiem for a MetroCard http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/ A New York City Subway Blog Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:56:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Episode 3 “On The Internet No One Can Hear You Naked” « The HAROLDcast http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-31297 Episode 3 “On The Internet No One Can Hear You Naked” « The HAROLDcast Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:52:18 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-31297 [...] Metro card hitting the road [...] [...] Metro card hitting the road [...]

]]> By: Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » The end of the MetroCard is somewhat near! http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-22102 Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » The end of the MetroCard is somewhat near! Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:43:20 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-22102 [...] of course, being a relative term in MTA speak. Anyway, as I mentioned in October, the MTA is looking to do away with the swipe-and-go MetroCard, a relic of the 20th Century. But [...] [...] of course, being a relative term in MTA speak. Anyway, as I mentioned in October, the MTA is looking to do away with the swipe-and-go MetroCard, a relic of the 20th Century. But [...]

]]> By: Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » If the MetroCard design ain’t broke, don’t fix it http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-15085 Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » If the MetroCard design ain’t broke, don’t fix it Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:03:20 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-15085 [...] its function; it’s outdated technology is doing that just fine. In November, I wrote about smart card technology and its slow-as-molasses arrival in New York, and its time has long come. We don’t need design contests or a new look; we just need a new [...] [...] its function; it’s outdated technology is doing that just fine. In November, I wrote about smart card technology and its slow-as-molasses arrival in New York, and its time has long come. We don’t need design contests or a new look; we just need a new [...]

]]> By: Chris O. http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1534 Chris O. Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:27:59 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1534 Link collapse - sorry! Trying again ... Muji Aluminum Case (MOMA) http://preview.tinyurl.com/38nopu Link collapse – sorry! Trying again …

Muji Aluminum Case (MOMA)
http://preview.tinyurl.com/38nopu

]]> By: Chris O. http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1533 Chris O. Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:24:46 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1533 I'm assuming the MTA will have a simple! way of buying an anonymous card for cash. Otherwise we have issues. The smartcard readers that are currently out there (at the movie theatres, Rite Aid, etc.) *never* seem to work. I make a point of using them but I always wind up having to give the card to the cashier anyway. Helpful hint: if you're worried about your card's RFID chip being scanned by hackers, The Man, etc. when you're walking around, a case like this provides a handy (and stylish) shield. http: //www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_Aluminum%20Business%20Card%20Case_10451_10001_12349_-1_11627_11458_null_shop_6H100 Also - Metrocards "flimsy"? Have you ever tried to tear one in half? I always imagined that in a "Escape from New York"/"Road Warrior" situation, several hundred old Metrocards layered and sewn together would make pretty good body armor. :-) I’m assuming the MTA will have a simple! way of buying an anonymous card for cash. Otherwise we have issues.

The smartcard readers that are currently out there (at the movie theatres, Rite Aid, etc.) *never* seem to work. I make a point of using them but I always wind up having to give the card to the cashier anyway.

Helpful hint: if you’re worried about your card’s RFID chip being scanned by hackers, The Man, etc. when you’re walking around, a case like this provides a handy (and stylish) shield.
http: //www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_Aluminum%20Business%20Card%20Case_10451_10001_12349_-1_11627_11458_null_shop_6H100

Also – Metrocards “flimsy”? Have you ever tried to tear one in half? I always imagined that in a “Escape from New York”/”Road Warrior” situation, several hundred old Metrocards layered and sewn together would make pretty good body armor. :-)

]]> By: startingtoday http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1537 startingtoday Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:15:09 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1537 You quoted- "The MTA is gearing up to extend its touch-pay system to buses and will start a one-year study to assess SmartCard technology." Here in DC, the busses are all equipped to handle SmarTrip cards (our touch pay system.) Why do a study? Can't they just call up DC and see how it's working here? I'd say it works well. The cards are less flimsy, and it cuts way down on time. And people who still use paper cards really hold up the line. You quoted- “The MTA is gearing up to extend its touch-pay system to buses and will start a one-year study to assess SmartCard technology.”

Here in DC, the busses are all equipped to handle SmarTrip cards (our touch pay system.)

Why do a study? Can’t they just call up DC and see how it’s working here?

I’d say it works well. The cards are less flimsy, and it cuts way down on time. And people who still use paper cards really hold up the line.

]]> By: bisounours http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1536 bisounours Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:08:03 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1536 In Taipei there's a smart card for buses and the subway system that works like a breeze. The disadvantage to it is having to refill at a vending machine, though. Same goes for Hong Kong (I believe they call it an Octopus card), tho you can even use it for payment at convenient stores. Yay asian efficiency! In Taipei there’s a smart card for buses and the subway system that works like a breeze. The disadvantage to it is having to refill at a vending machine, though. Same goes for Hong Kong (I believe they call it an Octopus card), tho you can even use it for payment at convenient stores. Yay asian efficiency!

]]> By: eric the beehivehairdresser http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1535 eric the beehivehairdresser Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:25:55 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1535 Ben, Thanks for the link to the Oyster Card. I like the idea of there being a separate card for getting into the transit system. On another note altogether... I wish that we could just go back to using tokens. Ben, Thanks for the link to the Oyster Card. I like the idea of there being a separate card for getting into the transit system.

On another note altogether…

I wish that we could just go back to using tokens.

]]> By: Dru http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1539 Dru Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:33:49 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1539 The London Underground is the most efficient transportation systems I've been on. I lived there for 5 months and used their monthly "Oyster" card which allowed me to pay a flat fee for unlimited rides each month. It's a tap & go technology whereby you leave the "Oyster" card in your wallet and merely tap it to have the doors (no turnstyles) swing open. It's fast, convenient and pretty advance. The Oyster card is also useable on the busses, and if you don't use the unlimited option-- once you've racked up at least 5 pounds on public transportation for the day-- the rest of your rides are unlimited for that day until midnight. I'm surprised NY is so far behind on this technology. The London Underground is the most efficient transportation systems I’ve been on. I lived there for 5 months and used their monthly “Oyster” card which allowed me to pay a flat fee for unlimited rides each month. It’s a tap & go technology whereby you leave the “Oyster” card in your wallet and merely tap it to have the doors (no turnstyles) swing open. It’s fast, convenient and pretty advance. The Oyster card is also useable on the busses, and if you don’t use the unlimited option– once you’ve racked up at least 5 pounds on public transportation for the day– the rest of your rides are unlimited for that day until midnight. I’m surprised NY is so far behind on this technology.

]]> By: nygrump http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1538 nygrump Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:00:29 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/10/09/requiem-for-a-metrocard/#comment-1538 How many millions were spent on setting up metrocard? I'm really sick of subsidizing the credit card companies. How many millions were spent on setting up metrocard? I’m really sick of subsidizing the credit card companies.

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