Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
every subway station, which accept cash, credit cards, and debit
cards; from a MetroCard merchant, such as most Rite Aid drug-
stores; Hudson News, at Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal;
or at the MTA information desk at the
Times Square Information
Center,
1560 Broadway, between 46th and 47th streets.
MetroCards come in a few different configurations:
Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards
can be used for up to four people by
swiping up to four times (bring the entire family). You can put any
amount from $4 (two rides) to $80 on your card. Every time you put
$7 or more on your Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard, it's automatically cred-
ited 15%—that's one free ride for every $15 you spend. You can buy
Pay-Per-Ride MetroCards at any subway station; most stations have
automated MetroCard vending machines, which allow you to buy
MetroCards using your major credit card or debit card. MetroCards
are also available from many shops and newsstands around town in
$10 and $20 values. You can refill your card at any time until the
expiration date on the card, usually about a year from the date of
purchase, at any subway station.
Unlimited-Ride MetroCards,
which can't be used for more than
one person at a time or more frequently than 18-minute intervals, are
available in four values: the
daily Fun Pass,
which allows you a day's
worth of unlimited subway and bus rides for $7.50; the
7-Day
MetroCard,
for $25; a
14-day MetroCard
for $47; and the
30-Day
MetroCard,
for $81. Seven-, 14- and 30-day Unlimited-Ride Metro-
Cards can be purchased at any subway station or from a MetroCard
merchant. Fun Passes, however, cannot be purchased at token
booths—you can only buy them at a MetroCard vending machine;
from a MetroCard merchant; or at the MTA information desk at the
Times Square Information Center. Unlimited-Ride MetroCards go
into effect the first time you use them—so if you buy a card on Mon-
day and don't begin to use it until Wednesday, Wednesday is when
the clock starts ticking on your MetroCard.
A Fun Pass is good from the first time you use it until 3am the
next day, while 7- and 30-day MetroCards run out at midnight on
the last day. These MetroCards cannot be refilled. (At press time
there were strong rumors that the 7-Day Metro Card and 30-Day
Metro Card rates were going up).
Tips for using your MetroCard:
The swiping mechanisms at
turnstiles are the source of much grousing. If you swipe too fast or
too slow, the turnstile will ask you to swipe again. If this happens,
do
not move to a different turnstile,
or you may end up paying twice.
