By Forum Staff
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority MetroCard Van is scheduled to make two appearances later this month in Howard Beach and Broad Channel, according to State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach).
On Wednesday, Nov. 30, the van will be stationed in front of the Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens Howard Beach Senior Center, located at 155-55 Cross Bay Blvd., from 10 a.m. to noon; it will then relocate to the Broad Channel Library, at 16-26 Cross Bay Blvd., from 1 to 3 p.m. The staff on board will be selling unlimited and pay-per-ride MetroCards and will also be equipped to add money to regular or reduced fare cards, Addabbo said.
Many neighborhoods across the city do not contain subway stops, where MetroCard machines are located, and have few places where residents can even purchase a card, let alone refill an existing one, Addabbo noted. The mobile van provides such commuters with the opportunity to purchase and refill cards in places they normally would not be able to.
“It is an unfortunate reality that there are still a great number of neighborhoods, in Queens especially, that are underserved by public transportation and lack subway stops, which are frequently the only places where MetroCard kiosks are located,” Addabbo said. “For people who live in these neighborhoods, or for those who only use the bus as part of their daily commutes, it becomes increasingly difficult to find a place to buy and refill cards. In addition, residents who are elderly or disabled may not be able to travel far to get a MetroCard, but they should not have to suffer because of that. The MetroCard Van brings these services directly to the residents of my district and offers another outlet for people to conveniently take care of their MetroCard needs.”
For more information, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at (718) 738-1111.
Courtesy of MTA
