Comments on: Musings on the economics of unused MetroCard fares http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/ A New York City Subway Blog Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:14:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: With surcharge looming, fare media liability could decline :: Second Ave. Sagas http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/#comment-193868 With surcharge looming, fare media liability could decline :: Second Ave. Sagas Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:33:08 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4442#comment-193868 [...] Over the past few years, as the MTA’s fiscal outlook has remained bleak, news coverage has often focused on its fare media liability. Each year, the MTA recoups around $50-$60 million in unused fares when riders purchase pay-per-ride cards but fail to zero them out. As the discount math gets tougher, the amount recovered increases. [...] [...] Over the past few years, as the MTA’s fiscal outlook has remained bleak, news coverage has often focused on its fare media liability. Each year, the MTA recoups around $50-$60 million in unused fares when riders purchase pay-per-ride cards but fail to zero them out. As the discount math gets tougher, the amount recovered increases. [...]

]]> By: Matthias http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/#comment-89695 Matthias Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:38:41 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4442#comment-89695 Very interesting, thanks! I always use spare change to bring my leftover balance up to $2.25 to finish off a card. But having a station agent combine all of my old cards is even easier. I had no idea I could do that. It's so easy to gather up a mess of abandoned cards with a few nickels left on them that I could almost ride for free... Very interesting, thanks! I always use spare change to bring my leftover balance up to $2.25 to finish off a card. But having a station agent combine all of my old cards is even easier. I had no idea I could do that. It’s so easy to gather up a mess of abandoned cards with a few nickels left on them that I could almost ride for free…

]]> By: Fare media liability expected to stay at $52 million :: Second Ave. Sagas http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/#comment-88620 Fare media liability expected to stay at $52 million :: Second Ave. Sagas Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:44:27 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4442#comment-88620 [...] a $5 profit from my card. Last year, when the MTA announced $53 million in fare media liability, I explored the whys of it. That budget item had jumped by 12.5 percent, and I speculated that New Yorkers simply don’t [...] [...] a $5 profit from my card. Last year, when the MTA announced $53 million in fare media liability, I explored the whys of it. That budget item had jumped by 12.5 percent, and I speculated that New Yorkers simply don’t [...]

]]> By: alphachapmtl http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/#comment-68055 alphachapmtl Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:55:42 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4442#comment-68055 Why not a permanent card refillable at will, as they have in Washington DC ? It is so simple and practical. Why not a permanent card refillable at will, as they have in Washington DC ? It is so simple and practical.

]]> By: Alon Levy http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/#comment-67677 Alon Levy Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:32:26 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4442#comment-67677 The article I linked from 2003 says the average number of linked trips per unlimited monthly is 56. $89 per month divided by 56 trips per month is $1.59 per trip. The article I linked from 2003 says the average number of linked trips per unlimited monthly is 56. $89 per month divided by 56 trips per month is $1.59 per trip.

]]> By: Benjamin Kabak http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/#comment-67669 Benjamin Kabak Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:38:33 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4442#comment-67669 I don't doubt you, but do you have a source for that or can you show me the math at least? I can't get more info from Transit until folks are back at work on Monday. I don’t doubt you, but do you have a source for that or can you show me the math at least? I can’t get more info from Transit until folks are back at work on Monday.

]]> By: Alon Levy http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/#comment-67668 Alon Levy Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:37:13 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4442#comment-67668 Ben, the average subway fare is under $1.50 only when you count transfers twice, apparently. If you count them once, as pay-per-rides do, then the average is closer to $1.59 = $89/56. Ben, the average subway fare is under $1.50 only when you count transfers twice, apparently. If you count them once, as pay-per-rides do, then the average is closer to $1.59 = $89/56.

]]> By: JP http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/#comment-67660 JP Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:27:39 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4442#comment-67660 Keep adding money to it, eventually it will balance out. Since we get a % bonus to dollar amounts, losing four cents of free money doesn't seem to be a big deal to me. Am I missing something? Keep adding money to it, eventually it will balance out. Since we get a % bonus to dollar amounts, losing four cents of free money doesn’t seem to be a big deal to me. Am I missing something?

]]> By: Andrew http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/#comment-67657 Andrew Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:35:07 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4442#comment-67657 NYCT allocates this task to Station Agents, and there is still at least one Station Agent at each station. I don't think "token booth clerk" has every been an NYCT title - before they were called Station Agents, they were Railroad Clerks. (But I agree that the machines should allow card balance combinations.) NYCT allocates this task to Station Agents, and there is still at least one Station Agent at each station. I don’t think “token booth clerk” has every been an NYCT title – before they were called Station Agents, they were Railroad Clerks.

(But I agree that the machines should allow card balance combinations.)

]]> By: Andrew http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/12/04/musings-on-the-economics-of-metrocards/#comment-67656 Andrew Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:32:23 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4442#comment-67656 Perhaps it's regressive, but how is it a tax? Nobody is required to leave balances behind on discarded cards. Perhaps it’s regressive, but how is it a tax? Nobody is required to leave balances behind on discarded cards.

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