Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann
“The MTA continues to review logistics and other considerations associated with accepting cash payments at subway station booths post-pandemic,” said MTA Acting Chief Communications Officer Tim Minton.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Reacting to a New York Daily News report that indicated that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has apparently decided to bring an end to all cash transactions at subway station booths, MTA Acting Chief Communications Officer Tim Minton said on Thursday that that’s simply not the case.
“To be clear, no decision has been made and no decision was announced yesterday regarding cash returning to station booths. The MTA continues to review logistics and other considerations associated with accepting cash payments at subway station booths post-pandemic.
In the meantime, we still accept cash throughout the subway system and across the city. Currently customers can use cash to purchase MetroCards at:
Every subway station in the system, at 1,688 MetroCard Vending Machines
MetroCard Mobile Vans that travel across the city, including to areas without subway stations and that also replace damaged MetroCards
1,470 select merchants and convenience stores at airports and throughout the city that do not charge a fee for new MetroCards
Expired MetroCards can continue to be exchanged at no charge at any MetroCard Vending Machine for a valid new card.
Since March 2020, damaged MetroCards have been replaced either by mail or by presenting them to the MetroCard Service Center located at 3 Stone Street in Lower Manhattan.
Photo Courtesy of MTA
There are 10 MetroCard mobile sales vans located
throughout Queens.
Reduced Fare MetroCard holders, including senior citizens, also have the ability to perform certain non-cash transactions at thirteen locations located in all five boroughs.
The MTA is committed to providing widespread and simple access to fare payment systems including, through 2023, MetroCards, consistent with protocols put in place during a global pandemic to protect the safety and health of transit workers. As we deliberately review future customer access to all forms of payment, we will continue to make the safety of our employees a top priority,” Minton said.
The leading straphanger advocacy group the Riders Alliance turned its collective eyes to Albany.
“Governor Cuomo must let transit riders pay with cash at subway booths. With one-third of New York City residents unbanked or underbanked, cash remains essential for millions of people,” Riders Alliance Executive Director Betsy Plum said. “Ending cash payment at subway booths, given the unavailability and unreliability of MetroCard machines, will compel riders to skip paying – risking arrest, detention, fines, and severe collateral consequences.Ending cash payment at subway booths while taking cash on board suburban commuter trains is totally inequitable and a slap in the face to low-income communities who have borne the brunt of the pandemic.Finally, ending cash payment while also refusing to allow all-door boarding on buses poses yet another barrier to riding transit, exactly when the governor should welcome more riders aboard instead.”
