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The machines have been out for over 20 years now, that's just refusal to learn
There's a legitimate argument to keep the booths open, not because of an inability to learn, but because the MTA can't manage to keep the damn Metrocard vending machines running! When all of the machines are broken, you are forced to either go to the token booth clerk (assuming you have cash on you), or find another subway station and hope their machines aren't all down. I have seen stations where none of them take cash too or none take cards. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Don't care at the moment since there is OMNY, but certainly understand the complaint.
i had a scratched metrocard the other day with 3 dollars on it
i went to the booth and asked them to transfer the balance to a new card since the turnstyle wouldn't read it
pre covid this was never an issue but now they tell me they can't do that anymore but i could mail it in if i want to get a check for 3 dollars. so I threw the MetroCard out and pulled a Constanza and just hopped the turn style since these days it's allowed anyway.
i had a scratched metrocard the other day with 3 dollars on it
i went to the booth and asked them to transfer the balance to a new card since the turnstyle wouldn't read it
pre covid this was never an issue but now they tell me they can't do that anymore but i could mail it in if i want to get a check for 3 dollars. so I threw the MetroCard out and pulled a Constanza and just hopped the turn style since these days it's allowed anyway.
That's ridiculous, and then you would have to wait months to get a new Metrocard for $3.00.
I think there's a compromise we need to make as a society.
Everyone should be able to get a cash card that you can reload at machines all over the city or any ATM. Basically you feed the five bucks in the machine and they put it on your card, and you can use the card anywhere at the MTA or any store or anything. It should be un-trackable and available to anyone
The machines have been out for over 20 years now, that's just refusal to learn
It's intimidating for some seniors. They have vision issues and some of the machines are frustrating to operate because the screen gets stuck and you have to keep jamming it with your fingers. It's not like these machines are glitch free. I find it frustrating at times. And if there's a long line, there's additional pressure to be speedy.
They should still allow cash transactions for seniors until there's a reduced fare OMNY available. Until there is, seniors are continuing to rely on the reduced fare Metro card and those have to be re-filled.
Not only are they not free (the fees are actually very very high), but they require your social security number and a type of background check as part of the Patriot Act
Exactly. There were times when all the machines were down due to a computer glitch and everyone would've been stuck if not for the token booths that were around. Once it happened during the afternoon and once late at night. Can you imagine being stuck with all the machines down and no token booths. I'd just hop the turnstile. F that.
Not only are they not free (the fees are actually very very high), but they require your social security number and a type of background check as part of the Patriot Act
no they don't.
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When all of the machines are broken, you are forced to either go to the token booth clerk (assuming you have cash on you), or find another subway station and hope their machines aren't all down. I have seen stations where none of them take cash too or none take cards. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Don't care at the moment since there is OMNY, but certainly understand the complaint.
