If all MVMs at a station are broken, will agent let you through the gates?

[mdude04]

I was at some station on the west the other day and needed to reload my Metrocard (I'm a fairly infrequent subway rider). There were about four MVMs, and none of them were accepting credit/debit cards. I had like $3 in cash so I just reloaded it in cash for one trip, but I thought about going to the agent and asking to just be let through the gate. What if I had no cash on me? What is the typical policy for this scenario? Just curious.

[Turbo19]

I was at some station on the west the other day and needed to reload my Metrocard (I'm a fairly infrequent subway rider). There were about four MVMs, and none of them were accepting credit/debit cards. I had like $3 in cash so I just reloaded it in cash for one trip, but I thought about going to the agent and asking to just be let through the gate. What if I had no cash on me? What is the typical policy for this scenario? Just curious.

It's at the discretion of the agent. It's about an even split on who'll let it slide or not at this point as there's been more enforcement in comparison to years past.

 

No harm in trying though, worst you can get is no.

[peacemak3r]

Like let through without paying at all? Obviously that answer would probably be know. I don't think booths accept credit/debit cards, I'd say they'll ask you to go to an ATM or some sort.

[Vistausss]

Like let through without paying at all? Obviously that answer would probably be know.

 

Well, to be fair: when a MetroCard farebox breaks down on a bus you may also ride the bus for free...

[peacemak3r]

That's a hit or miss, really depends on the B/O to be honest. Certain station agents aren't so willing though.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Yeah MVM's not accepting debit or credit cards has been a problem at a few stations... Quite annoying too... Since I need the express bus usually, I just walk to another station and refill there.  The one thing that did piss me once was I had an unlimited card, swipped and it said just used and then the station agent had the nerve to say that I had to wait 18 minutes to re-use it and refused to let me go through.  I said screw it and paid $2.50 and just kept it moving. I wouldn't do that today though... i'd either get on a bus or walk to another station.

[cl94]

I've been let through once or twice in Brooklyn by an S/A when the machines were down. Not sure whether or not this is the policy. Knowing the , there's probably no policy concerning this and it is left to the agent's discretion.

 

In Toronto, however, the policy at a staffed entrance if an S/A is not present and one is purchasing a day pass or single ride is to use the service gate to enter (transit police is at most stations, will tell one to walk in) and pay upon exit. This has been confirmed by multiple staff members and transit police. Maybe it's because Canadians are supposed to be nice and honest, but I wonder how many (other than this New Yorker) actually pay their fare.

[MHV9218]

That's a hit or miss, really depends on the B/O to be honest. Certain station agents aren't so willing though.

 

Never experienced a B/O who was enough of an a**hole to stop accepting passengers cause the farebox broke...

[YankeesPwnMets]

^Same with me here. If the box is broken, the bus operator usually just lets everyone through. In the afternoon, its usually just people who would be using free transfers on their card after getting off the subway, so its not a huge difference. It also really speeds up the ride.

[Snowblock]

Tell me this - if you go to a deli and don't have enough cash to pay for what you want, do you think the cashier is going to let you have everything else for free just because they don't take credit cards there?

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Tell me this - if you go to a deli and don't have enough cash to pay for what you want, do you think the cashier is going to let you have everything else for free just because they don't take credit cards there?

That's an entirely different situation.  The ALLOWS you to pay with a debit or credit card...  Aside from that who in the hell wants a gazillion dollar coins anyway?  The average New Yorker may carry $20.00 on them tops and when I go to refill my express bus Metrocards, that's $110.00 for two weeks.  No one for the most part is going to pay in cash.  Much easier and convenient to just swipe and go.  

[Turbo19]

Tell me this - if you go to a deli and don't have enough cash to pay for what you want, do you think the cashier is going to let you have everything else for free just because they don't take credit cards there?

I suppose it was just my f**king luck that a local coffee shop let me slide on a purchase when their point of sale system was down and couldn't take credit/debit transactions.

 

Case in point, keep your regulars satisfied. Something the MTA shouldn't take advantage of.

[QM1to6Ave]

Tell me this - if you go to a deli and don't have enough cash to pay for what you want, do you think the cashier is going to let you have everything else for free just because they don't take credit cards there?

It's not exactly the same situation. Mass transit is considered a necessity (hence you guys are under Taylor Law), while a deli is purely a private enterprise. The rules are little bit more flexible with mass transit, like the governor declaring rides are free in an emergency. I'm not saying this means that anyone should just be let on for free, but in extenuating circumstances like a major payment system failure, the system should lean towards letting people on for free. 

[Missabassie]

Mass transit is a social service, unlike a store. With all that tax money the MTA gets, we'll pay either way.

[Vistausss]

Well, if all fareboxes break down then that's not the passenger's fault so you can't just say "screw you guys, wait for the next one" as a b/o. (hell, if you live in a rural area you might not even be able to catch one for at least another hour!) Which is why it's very common throughout the world to let people on for free in such cases. Of course, there will be exceptions but most transit companies tend to follow the 'get on for free' scenario.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

It's not exactly the same situation. Mass transit is considered a necessity (hence you guys are under Taylor Law), while a deli is purely a private enterprise. The rules are little bit more flexible with mass transit, like the governor declaring rides are free in an emergency. I'm not saying this means that anyone should just be let on for free, but in extenuating circumstances like a major payment system failure, the system should lean towards letting people on for free. 

Exactly... Besides, it's our tax dollars that subsidize the system anyway...