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MetroCard (New York City)

MetroCard
MetroCard.SVG
Location New York City
Launched 1993-1994
Technology
Operator Cubic
Manager MTA
Currency USD (Varies maximum load)
Stored-value Pay-Per-Ride
Auto recharge EasyPayXPress
Unlimited use Unlimited Ride
Validity
Retailed
  • Vending machines
    Stations
    Online
    MetroCard buses and vans
    Authorized merchants
Variants
  • SingleRide
    Reduced-Fare
    Student
Website http://web.mta.info/metrocard

The MetroCard is the payment method for the New York City Subway; New York City Transit buses, including routes operated by Atlantic Express under contract to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), MTA Bus, and Nassau Inter-County Express systems (NICE); PATH; the Roosevelt Island Tramway; AirTrain JFK; and Westchester County's Bee-Line Bus 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 eliminate the burden of carrying and collecting tokens. The MTA discontinued the use of tokens in the subway on May 3, 2003, and on buses on December 31, 2003. The MetroCard is managed by a division of the MTA known as Revenue Control, MetroCard Sales, which is part of the Office of the Executive Vice President. The MetroCard Vending Machines are manufactured by Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc.

On October 30, 1992, the installation of Automated Fare Collection turnstiles began.

On June 1, 1993, MTA distributed 3,000 MetroCards in the first major test of the technology for the entire subway system and the entire bus system. Less than a year later, on January 6, 1994, MetroCard-compatible turnstiles opened at Wall Street on the IRT Lexington Avenue Line (4 5 trains) and Whitehall Street – South Ferry on the BMT Broadway Line (N R W trains). All MetroCard turnstiles were installed by May 14, 1997, when the entire bus and subway system accepted MetroCard.


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