LIRR and Foregeting Monthly Pass (buy, zoned, costs)

[LarryRup]

Can someone explain why the LIRR things it can get away without refunding monthly passengers for a trip where a customer forgot his/her pass? I have the LIRR refusing to to send me the next months pass because I forgot my monthly pass one day, and did not have cash (heavens be they don't take a debit card). If they won't send me my next pass, they certainly know I paid them for that trip. Just because they make up a policy, it doesn't make it right or legal.

LarryRUP

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by LarryRup

Can someone explain why the LIRR things it can get away without refunding monthly passengers for a trip where a customer forgot his/her pass? I have the LIRR refusing to to send me the next months pass because I forgot my monthly pass one day, and did not have cash (heavens be they don't take a debit card). If they won't send me my next pass, they certainly know I paid them for that trip. Just because they make up a policy, it doesn't make it right or legal.

LarryRUP

I'm not taking sides here
It's about a "contract", which makes it legal.
When you request your mail-n-ride ticket(s), you consent to their rules and regs - it's voluntary! You're doing it because of the convenience and possibly because of the small savings. Occasionally you may find a conductor who has seen you regularly and will let it pass, but rarely both ways.
If you don't pay, they won't provide the means to provide service

During the many years I commuted, occasionally I'd forget my ticket, so I understand your frustration and feeling of being treated "unfairly"; however, for all they know, you lent your ticket to someone else (I know people who do that) and they don't collect the fare they're entitled to.
It stinks - but there are too many deadbeats out there... Your problem came down to not having cash on you; otherwise you could have requested a refund after providing appropriate information.

[agw123]

Originally Posted by LarryRup

Can someone explain why the LIRR things it can get away without refunding monthly passengers for a trip where a customer forgot his/her pass? I have the LIRR refusing to to send me the next months pass because I forgot my monthly pass one day, and did not have cash (heavens be they don't take a debit card). If they won't send me my next pass, they certainly know I paid them for that trip. Just because they make up a policy, it doesn't make it right or legal.

LarryRUP

Pay the ticket you owe money for and move on. All of us forget once in a while. Some of use to keep oneway tickets in our wallets for such occassions. This is useless now since the tickets are only good for 14 days.

[nyliguy]

Originally Posted by agw123

Pay the ticket you owe money for and move on. All of us forget once in a while. Some of use to keep oneway tickets in our wallets for such occassions. This is useless now since the tickets are only good for 14 days.

I normally would keep an extra $1.50 ticket in my wallet just in case I was in a rush and couldn't make it to the machine at the train station, I would simply pay the difference for the destination I was heading when on the train and avoid the surcharge. Also I've noticed when traveling the LIRR on weekends often the conductor would not come around to collect and I would have a few tickets in my wallet. I assume the 14 day rule is new, and a result of the LIRR not being properly staffed to collect tickets? I've often benefited with a few free rides because of this, so I understand why they would enact the 14 day ticket expiration.

[sportsfan1970]

The LIRR had this policy, but a few years back when they merged their operations with Metro North (who did not have this policy) the LIRR removed the reimbursement for a ticket purchased in the event it was forgotten.

[Gpsma]

You can always go hide in the bathrooms until the conductor is gone

[Elke Mariotti]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

You can always go hide in the bathrooms until the conductor is gone

LOL I've seen conductors check bathrooms

[yoelmo]

It's a shame they discontinued the forgotten monthly policy. It's not about service, it's about $$. The price is hefty. You buy a monthly in zone 7 for $254 and you forgot your ticket it costs you $36 peak round trip.

The old policy was good. It was good one time only per month. You buy your ticket on the train then you can get a refund for the full amount when you present your monthly to to window at Penn anytime within that month. They stamp it. The only time this didn't apply was on the first work day of each month.

[trahsub]

Man, I dealt with this on February 1st. What kind of training do the conductors go through? Are they water boarded in a effort to be sure they will provide no breaks to anyone, ever? The conductor that has been checking my ticket for the last 8 years charged me $16 dollars for a one way ticket b/c I forgot my February monthly (this was on the way home, I was zoned out in the morning and didn't hear the friendly reminder that today is new ticket day).

Is there an internal affairs team within the MTA that rides the train looking for conductors that violate their code of conduct? I'm asking seriously, as I don't understand why they won't cut breaks to folks they have years of history with. I guess I'd be a crummy conductor as I couldn't see myself charging a guy who has been showing me a monthly every week for the last 8 years.

[kayfouroh]

So what happens if you stop paying for the monthly and say "well, I forgot it... you know I'm good for it" ???