Metrocard problems?
On Friday, my Metrocard stopped working. I tried to use it at the Exchange Place PATH station, and it didn’t work (the turnstyle told me to “see agent“). Then, it didn’t work when I tried to get into the E Train in Manhattan. This is the second time in about 2 weeks that a Metrocard with a high balance has stopped working. Before starting my job in Jersey City (and riding the PATH), I never had a problem with a Metrocard.
I mentioned this to some coworkers today, who left together on Friday evening and took the 5 Train from Fulton Street together. The same thing happened to one of them, and they observed other people having trouble with Metrocards in that station.
So what’s up?
- Is my new wallet scratching my Metrocard?
- Are the PATH turnstyles doing something to cause my Metrocard to stop working?
- Given that other people seem to be having problems, maybe there was a shipment of defective Metrocards recently (this is one of my coworkers’ theories)?
Have you noticed a change in the reliability of Metrocards lately?
If you have a problem, by the way, here’s the MTA’s page about solving Metrocard problems.
(Someone who saw a tip I left on Gothamist suggested that this may be related to Mercury going retrograde soon.)
I had the same problem at Union Square Last year. I was left with three cards with high balances
which I had to submit and eventually receive reimbursement. The token clerks were of no help and certainly not a symapthetic ear. I never re-use a Metrocard or put high balances on any card $20. max.
No problems since then.
Comment by neleh — February 27, 2006 @ 4:04 pm
If you have any sort of magnet in your pocket, this will really screw your card up.
Maybe you’ve got one on a keychain or something.
Peace……………..
Comment by Helen — February 27, 2006 @ 7:17 pm
Maybe other cards (credit cards, security access cards, etc.) in my wallet?
Comment by Administrator — February 27, 2006 @ 7:30 pm