Metrocard Purchase Amounts

[JAG]

Now that the fare went up to $2.25, I would have expected the vending
machines to show purchase options in multiples of $22.50 ($25.88 with
the 15% bonus) but they still show them in $20 increments.

So if I buy a $20 card, I get $23, and still have $.50 left after 10
rides. I'd have to refill my card 9 times (9 * $.50 = $4.50 (or 2
rides)) before I'd have a 0 balance on the card.

Was this done on purpose to encourage people not to bother with the
leftover change (effectively more revenue for the MTA - fractional
rides sold but never used towards a fare) or will the MTA update the
machines to work in increments of $2.25?

[JAG]

On Jun 29, 12:08*pm, ste...@panix.com (Steven M. O'Neill) wrote:
> I'm sure the MTA is not unhappy if you throw away a card with a
> small balance left on it. *But the previous bonus scheme wasn't
> better. *$20 would have gotten you a 15% bonus of which is $3
> (or 1 1/2 fares).

It was better in that you only had to refill twice to get an even
balance.

[Bolwerk]

JAG wrote:
> Now that the fare went up to $2.25, I would have expected the vending
> machines to show purchase options in multiples of $22.50 ($25.88 with
> the 15% bonus) but they still show them in $20 increments.
>
> So if I buy a $20 card, I get $23, and still have $.50 left after 10
> rides. I'd have to refill my card 9 times (9 * $.50 = $4.50 (or 2
> rides)) before I'd have a 0 balance on the card.
>
> Was this done on purpose to encourage people not to bother with the
> leftover change (effectively more revenue for the MTA - fractional
> rides sold but never used towards a fare) or will the MTA update the
> machines to work in increments of $2.25?

Besides SMO's suggestion, another thing you can do to quickly zero
balance is board a bus and use what you have left, plus add some change
to make up the difference. I think you'll even get a bus transfer,
which only works on other buses....

[Stephen Sprunk]

JAG wrote:
> Was this done on purpose to encourage people not to bother with the
> leftover change (effectively more revenue for the MTA - fractional
> rides sold but never used towards a fare) ...

"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by
stupidity." --Hanlon's Razor

S

--
Stephen Sprunk "Stupid people surround themselves with smart
CCIE #3723 people. Smart people surround themselves with
K5SSS smart people who disagree with them." --Isaac Jaffe

[Vince]

Steven M. O'Neill wrote:
> Bolwerk <bolwerk@**********> wrote:
>> JAG wrote:
>>> Now that the fare went up to $2.25, I would have expected the vending
>>> machines to show purchase options in multiples of $22.50 ($25.88 with
>>> the 15% bonus) but they still show them in $20 increments.
>>>
>>> So if I buy a $20 card, I get $23, and still have $.50 left after 10
>>> rides. I'd have to refill my card 9 times (9 * $.50 = $4.50 (or 2
>>> rides)) before I'd have a 0 balance on the card.
>>>
>>> Was this done on purpose to encourage people not to bother with the
>>> leftover change (effectively more revenue for the MTA - fractional
>>> rides sold but never used towards a fare) or will the MTA update the
>>> machines to work in increments of $2.25?
>> Besides SMO's suggestion, another thing you can do to quickly zero
>> balance is board a bus and use what you have left, plus add some change
>> to make up the difference. I think you'll even get a bus transfer,
>> which only works on other buses....
>
> You can always add spare change to your MetroCard with a machine
> (or, I guess, a station agent) also. (The idea for my site is
> how to add money without losing out on the bonus.) Of course if
> you have a quarter on your card and you just want to get it back
> to a full ride, losing out on 15% of two dollars probably isn't
> going to be the end of the world.
>

No its not Steven but they're not getting one more cent then they have
to from me