Comments on: Are turnstiles swiping MetroCard money?

By: aj rosenbaum

aj rosenbaum — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:56:38 +0000

this has happened to me several times, always when the balance on my card is low (but still more than enough to cover the fare).
it happened once at the wall st. 2/3 station and i could tell from the booth clerk’s reaction and her immediate opening of the door to let me through, that this is an ongoing situation that is clearly known about. the whole thing reeks of scam, or worse, to me.

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:30:57 +0000

The claim form and process aren’t too long or cumbersome. It takes about three minutes to fill out a form and three weeks to get your refund. Don’t blame the MTA for the fact that you’re not willing to put a slight effort into the process. If the money were that important to you, you would.

I’m sorry if that sounds unsympathetic, but the station agents can’t just dole out dollars to everyone who claims they’ve lost money via a faulty turnstile swipe.

By: Pinaki

Pinaki — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:29:09 +0000

It happened with me too today – I suspect this happening with me before too but was able to figure out today as I had little balance left.

As usual I went to the lady at the booth she had no means to check the “statement” of the card i.e. when and where were the swipes made. I was given a claim form and the claim process seems to be long and cumbersome. I am leaving the US this week so don’t have time for this and have lost the money for good!

This is unfair and really unfair – why can’t they put a system like that in the path trains? Its way way better!

By: yaron

yaron — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:04:32 +0000

this happened to me about 5 times and just today for the first time the guy didnt let me go through even though he cheaked my mertocard he told me to wait. i had to wait 18 min until i could swipe the card agian i say the we need to strike against this ( wow i cant even describe it) and fight the m.t.a

By: George

George — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:57:21 +0000

You shouldn’t have to swipe again in that case. When two swipes are made at the same turnstile before either people go through, the turnstile should be able to turn twice to allow both of you in.

Its happened to be a few times (since I am always in a rush) and I never got charged additional fares.

By: And now they’re gone: station agents :: Second Ave. Sagas | A New York City Subway Blog

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:50:32 +0000

[...] of the station with a MetroCard, and the MetroCard Vending Machines will still dispense cards (or eat your money). Those in need of help, however, will have to venture up to 42nd St. and 6th for a 24-hour station [...]

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:24:08 +0000

Yes, tokens were much easier, especially when they required transferring passengers to pay twice.

The past isn’t always romantic.

By: gordon

gordon — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:06:27 +0000

This has happened to me a number of times. The problem is that the procedure for getting a refund is quite time consuming and difficult. Attendants at the station are never helpful and usually just give you a form to fill out == if they are even present. I have requested refunds numerous times and never actually gottent the refund. However,I have gotten a run around by MTA requesting for more information weeks after a claim was submitted. These are reasons why people have no faith in the system. Its funny, tokens were so much easier, and they always worked.

By: anonymouse

anonymouse — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:22:13 +0000

I’ve seen this sequence happen maybe once or twice: Swipe again, swipe again, swipe again at this turnstile, swipe again, just used. I think at that point I may have just jumped over the turnstile. What can I say, I was young and stupid, and in a hurry to get somewhere.

By: Kris Datta

Kris Datta — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:51:23 +0000

Happened to me once as well. I had a $2.25 card and swiped at 5th Ave. – 59th St. right after getting off the M2. I swiped, Please Swipe Again, Swipe Again at this Turnstile, INSUFFICIENT FARE. I told the guy at the booth and he checked, before letting me in through the emergency exit.