MetroCard

The MetroCard is the current payment method for the New York Subway (metro) system as well as for buses in the New York City Transit system. It is a thin, plastic card on which the customer electronically loads fares. It was introduced to enhance the technology of the transit system and reduce the burden of carrying and collecting tokens. The MetroCard is handled by a division of MTA Transit known as MetroCard Operations and manfactured by the Cubic Corporation.

Table of contents
1 History
2 Technology
3 Fare Info
4 Purchase Options
5 External Links

History

  • January 6, 1994 - MetroCard turnstiles open at 4/5 Wall Street and N/R Whitehall Street stations
  • May 14, 1997 - The last MetroCard turnstiles are installed and the entire bus and subway system accepts MetroCards
  • July 4, 1997 - MetroCard Gold offers free subway/bus, bus/subway, and bus/bus transfers
  • July 4, 1998 - 7-Day and 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCards introduced
  • January 1, 1999 - The 1-Day Fun Pass is introduced
  • January 25, 1999 - The first MetroCard Vending Machines are installed
  • March 30, 2003 - Tokens no longer sold
  • May 4, 2003 - Fares increased from $1.50 to $2.00; tokens no longer accepted

Technology

Each MetroCard is assigned a unique, permanent ten-digit serial number when it is manufactured. The value of a card is stored magnetically on the card itself, while the card's transaction history is held centrally in the Automated Fare Collection (AFC) Database. When a card is purchased and fares are loaded onto it, the MetroCard Vending Machine or station agent stores the amount of the purchase onto the card and updates the database, identifying the card by its serial number. Whenever the card is swiped at a turnstile, the value of the card is read, the new value is written, and the central database is updated with the new transaction. The AFC Database is necessary to maintain transaction records to track a card if needed. It has actually been used to acquit criminal suspects by placing them away from the scene of a crime. The database also stores a Negative List, a list of MetroCards that have been invalidated for various reasons, and shares it with turnstiles in order to deny access to a revoked card.

Fare Info

Single-Ride MetroCards

  • $2.00 for one subway or local bus ride, with one free bus/bus transfer
  • Single-Ride cards do not offer subway/bus transfers
  • Cards expire two hours from time of purchase

Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards

  • $4.00 to $80.00 in $2.00 increments
  • Cards equal to or greater than $10.00 receive a 20% bonus (ex. $20.00 buys 12 rides)
  • $2.00 deducted for each subway or local bus usage, excluding transfers
  • Free subway/bus, bus/subway, and bus/bus transfers within two hours of usage
  • May be used to pay for and transfer up to four people at once
  • Card may be refilled until expiration date

Accepted at:

  • MTA New York City Transit subways and local buses
  • MTA New York City Transit express buses
  • MTA Long Island Bus
  • MTA Staten Island Railway
  • Most NYC private local and express bus lines

Unlimited Ride MetroCards

  • 1-Day Fun Pass, $7.00 for unlimited subway and local bus rides until 3 A.M. the day following first usage
  • 7-Day Unlimited Ride Card, $21.00 for unlimited subway and local bus rides until midnight seven days following first usage
  • 30-Day Unlimited Ride Card, $70.00 for unlimited subway and local bus rides until midnight thirty days following first usage
  • 7-Day Express Bus Plus Card, $33.00 for unlimited express bus, local bus, and subway rides until midnight seven days following first usage
  • The Unlimited Ride Card cannot be used at the same subway station or bus route for eighteen minutes after it is first used

Accepted at:

  • MTA New York City Transit subways and local buses
  • MTA Long Island Bus
  • MTA Staten Island Railway
  • Most NYC private bus lines
  • Only 7-Day Express Bus Plus accepted on express buses

Purchase Options

Subway Station Booths

These booths are located in all subway stations and are run by station agents. Every MetroCard can be purchased at a booth with the exception of the 1-Day Fun Pass. Only cash is accepted for a transaction, $50 bills are only accepted with a purchase of $30 or more, and $100 bills only with a $70 or greater purchase.

MetroCard Vending Machines

MetroCard Vending Machines (MVMs) are machines located in most subway stations that sell MetroCards. They were first introduced in January 1999 and can now be found in two models. Standard MVMs are large vending machines that accept cash, credit cards, and ATM or debit cards in order to purchase a MetroCard for use on a subway or bus. They return up to $6 in coin change for every transaction. There are also much smaller versions of these machines that only accept credit and ATM/debit cards. Both machines allow a customer to purchase every type of MetroCard through a touch-screen hierarchical menu. After payment, the MetroCard is dispensed, along with an optional paper transaction receipt. The MVM can also add fares or unlimited rides to a used MetroCard. They are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 through use of braille and a headset. MetroCard Vending Machines run on Microsoft Windows NT Version 4.0 SP6 and are designed by Antenna Design, an industrial design company based in Manhattan.

MetroCard Bus and Van

There is one MetroCard Van and two MetroCard Buses that travel throughout New York City, making stops at scheduled locations. MetroCards can be purchased or refilled directly from these vehicles. Schedules are available on the MTA website.

Neighborhood MetroCard Merchants

As well as at subway stations, the MetroCard can be purchased at any participating vendor. This includes hundreds of stores across New York City that sell sealed, pre-paid MetroCards for face value. A comprehensive listing can be found on the MTA website.

External Links