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EasyPayXpress Is Going Unlimited

Posted by
on April 16th, 2009 at 8:34 pm

For years, riders have been able to take advantage of the EasyPayXpress MetroCard which featured automatic replenishing of your balance. This was a very nice feature to have as it saved time from having to stand on line at a token booth or MVM to add money to your card. Now the MTA has made the card even more useful by making it available to Unlimited MetroCard users. Here are the complete details in a press release I received earlier today:

There’s good news for riders who don’t like waiting on line at MetroCard Vending Machines (MVMs) or Station Booths to purchase their monthly MetroCard: EasyPayXpress MetroCard, the MetroCard that never runs out of rides, is now going Unlimited. Instead of buying a new 30-day Unlimited card every month, customers using the popular card can now sign up for the same automatic replenishment program that Pay-Per-Ride users have been taking advantage of since 2006. EasyPayXpress will provide users of 30-day MetroCards the same convenient and hassle free way to travel that more than 16,000 Pay-Per-Ride users have come to rely on.

“The addition of an Unlimited card option is the natural next step for the EasyPayXpress Program,” said Paul J. Fleuranges, Vice President of Corporate Communications. “We expect that Unlimited MetroCard users will, as we’ve seen with our Pay-Per-Ride population, appreciate the fact that they never have to worry about their card running out of rides or standing on an MVM line with their credit card or cash to buy a new one,” added Fleuranges.

Customers can open an EasyPayXpress Unlimited account with $81, linked to a credit card or pre-tax transportation benefits card, by filling out an application on line at www.easypaymetrocard.com. When the card arrives in the mail, they can begin using it right away. The EasyPayXpress 30-Day Unlimited MetroCard functions just like the regular 30-Day Unlimited MetroCard; it starts when the card is first activated, and customers can ride as many times as they want to for 30 consecutive days. At the end of the 30-Day Unlimited period, users’ credit cards will be charged $81 and the first use will start a new 30-Day period.

EasyPayXpress Unlimited can be used for local bus and subway fares; it cannot be used on express buses. Because the EasyPayXpress MetroCard is good for two years, there’s no need to throw away a used card or for multiple card purchases, and that’s good for the environment. In 2008, EasyPayXpress riders took 2.5 million trips, 58-percent of them on local buses and subways. As is the case with the Pay-Per-Ride card, when a customer reports an EasyPayXpress Unlimited MetroCard lost or stolen to the EasyPay Account Service Center, the card will be deactivated to protect it from unauthorized charges and the account automatically credited for the remaining days left.

Another feature of the Unlimited program is that account holders can easily switch to a Pay-Per-Ride mode when they know in advance they will not be using the card for 30 consecutive days, like during vacations or business trips. “When we began developing the EasyPayXpress Unlimited payment option, we decided to make it as flexible as it is convenient,” said Cross J. Siclare, Assistant Vice President for Customer Relations. “It will take some account management on the part of our customers, but we think we’ve designed a customer friendly process,” added Fleuranges.

To switch to the Pay-Per-Ride mode, customers can simply change their account status on line or contact the EasyPay Service Center prior to the end of the current 30-day period. When the account is in the Pay-Per-Ride mode, a discount equivalent to the current 15-percent bonus is applied to each ride. When the account goes below $20 the account holder’s credit card will be used to replenish the account with $40. Users can switch back to the 30-Day Unlimited mode anytime online or by calling the EasyPay Account Service Center.

EasyPayXpress account holders have access to account information at their fingertips online anytime at www.easypaymetrocard.com. Once logged in on the secured website, customers can view statements, change their PIN or update their financial information. Account information is also available by calling the Service Center using a touch-tone phone at 1-877-323-RIDE (7433).

I might just try this out & see how it goes. Anything that could make my commute easier is a good thing in my book!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Ravitch Proposes Toll Rebate Compromise

Posted by
on April 16th, 2009 at 12:45 am

For years, any mention of adding tolls to East & Harlem River bridges was shot down faster than you could blink an eye. Even as the MTA’s finances continue to spiral towards possible bankruptcy, the idea of adding tolls continues to be shot down by some officials. In their eyes, damn the MTA & the millions of riders who use it if it means adding tolls for drivers. This sentiment is especially true from Bronx Democratic Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. who has been one of the biggest anti-toll officials in the state.

With that in mind, Richard Ravitch proposed a toll rebate for drivers traveling to medical appointments & businesses who frequently use the crossings. No sooner was this proposal was made, Senator Diaz and others came out to announce their opposition. William Neuman of the New York Times has more in this report:

Seeking to win over State Senate opponents of a plan to create new bridge tolls on the East and Harlem Rivers, supporters of a financial rescue for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority offered a compromise on Wednesday that would give toll rebates to drivers traveling to medical appointments and to businesses that frequently use the river crossings.

But some opponents of the tolls — which would be set to match the subway fare, currently $2 — quickly rejected the compromise, which was put forth by the state commission that proposed the original rescue plan.

“I am opposed to any toll,” Ruben Diaz Sr., a senator from the Bronx, said on Wednesday. “They’re going to do a rebate? After two years they’re going to say no rebate. It’s a gimmick.”

To pay for the rebates, the state commission proposed two additional charges: a 50-cent surcharge on yellow-cab rides and an increase in the Manhattan parking garage tax. Those additional charges would raise an estimated $150 million a year.

Pedro Espada Jr., another Bronx senator, said he, too, would continue to oppose the tolls because he believed the rebates would not be permanent. He said he spoke on Wednesday with Senator Carl Kruger of Brooklyn, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, another toll opponent. He said that Mr. Kruger told him he also rejected the compromise. Senator Kruger did not respond to messages left with his office.

Three other Democratic senators who have opposed the tolls also did not return calls on Wednesday.

Mr. Diaz, the Bronx senator, reacted to the toll compromise by asking why Gov. David A. Paterson was not more focused on forging an agreement on the transportation authority rescue.

“I think that the governor should be involved doing this now and stop pushing gay marriage,” Mr. Diaz said. The governor is expected to offer legislation on Thursday to legalize gay marriage, something that Mr. Diaz, a Pentecostal minister, fiercely opposes.

Click here for the complete report.

Well Senator Diaz showed more of his true colors with his quick opposition. He clearly does not care of the majority of his constituents who use mass transit. I guess to him, the votes of the small driving minority among his constituents is more valuable. Lets see how well that line of thinking works out for him come re-election time.

Instead of doing what is right by his constituents or coming up with a legitimate counter-proposal, he would rather attack Gov. Patterson for his support of gay marriage. Senator Diaz, now is not the time for you to get into a battle over gay marriage. While the issue is important, this is not the time or place for it.

Overall, do the needs of millions of mass transit users matter to anyone else besides themselves? With the clear lack of action from Albany, the answer seems to be a resounding no. Whether you ride daily or infrequently, the importance of the MTA getting proper funding should be of major importance to you. Lets hope that Albany gets the memo before it is too late.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA Service To Yankee Stadium Opener

Posted by
on April 15th, 2009 at 11:35 pm

Earlier this afternoon, the MTA sent out a press release via e-mail about their plans for service to the Yankee Stadium opener tomorrow. Here are the complete details:

The fastest, easiest and most economical way for baseball fans to get to the new Yankee Stadium to watch their beloved Bronx Bombers is by riding a subway to the 161st Street-Yankee Stadium complex. The 4 B and D trains will take you to a fully accessible station right across from the new Yankee Stadium. A Yankees’ fan ticket to a ride is, of course, their MetroCard.

On opening day, Thursday, April 16, NYC Transit will have personnel on hand throughout the station complex directing customers to the new Yankee Stadium. Customers taking the 4 line to the game are advised to use the special events staircases at the southern end of the platforms, which will put them right across the street from the stadium. A special events station booth will also be manned before, during and after games, so customers can purchase MetroCards. In addition to Transit personnel providing directions, customers will notice signage directing them to the stadium entrance and to elevators.

The station complex is also fully ADA accessible for disabled customers. The complex boasts of five elevators and two escalators, which link the elevated 4 platforms with the mezzanine and the underground B D platforms.

“Yankees’ fans know the train to the game is the best way to go,” said MTA NYC Transit President Howard H. Roberts, Jr. “They don’t have to be worried about getting to the game late because of traffic congestion, or the difficulty of finding parking spaces in and around the stadium,” Roberts added. “The 4 Line team is ready to help Yankee fans begin a new season rooting on the bombers,” said Herbert Lambert, 4 Line General Manager. “The team has a brand new stadium, and we want fans to know we’re prepared to provide them the same reliable service they’ve grown accustomed to, both before and after games.”

Following the last out, the 4 Line team will be prepared to get fans home with additional Manhattan-bound service. To speed up the ride to and from the stadium, customers are advised to purchase their MetroCards in advance. In addition, customers needing help with travel plans to and from 161st Street-Yankee Stadium may call our Travel Information Center at 718-330-1234 from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, or visit Trip Planner @ www.tripplanner.mta.info for customized bus and subway directions.

I can’t wait to have some time to catch a game at the new Stadium. I might try to get their for one of the first few games.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Higher Projected Deficit Could Lead To More Pain

Posted by
on April 15th, 2009 at 11:22 pm

The state of the MTA’s financial crisis continues to get worse by the day. Riders are expected to pay the ultimate price when the MTA’s doomsday scenario is officially enacted. However if things continue to progress in the current downward spiral, riders can expect even more fare increases or service cuts. As is usually the case, a lower than expected returns in tax revenue is to blame. William Neuman of the New York Times has more in this report:

An alarmingly sharp decline in state tax revenues could further undermine the finances of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, according to a new projection made public on Monday. Combined with other recent forecasts of plummeting revenue, the data made it likely that, without a financial rescue from Albany, the authority might have to resort to additional service cuts or fare increases beyond the measures already proposed.

“What it suggests is that the M.T.A. will have to take additional actions in order to balance the budget,” said Gary Dellaverson, chief financial officer of the authority. He said that could include deeper service cuts or a second fare increase before the year is out, but he refused to give details of what was being considered.

In the latest forecast, released Monday in materials for a coming bond sale, the authority said the state had informed the authority that it should expect a shortfall as large as $200 million in revenue this year from a basket of taxes dedicated to mass transit, including portions of the sales tax and a tax on corporate profits.

That is more than double what the authority projected in February when it tried to gauge how its tax revenues would be affected if the decline in the region’s economy became much worse. At that time it estimated that if the economy hit bottom, its dedicated state tax receipts could be down by as much as $82 million.

Making the picture even bleaker, the projected shortfall in dedicated taxes is in addition to a previously disclosed drop in revenue from taxes on real estate transfers and mortgages. For just the first three months of the year, those taxes were $123 million below the levels written into the authority’s budget.

Click here for the complete report.

Sometimes just reading or talking about this crisis gets to me. The thought of the MTA going bankrupt is a real possibility at this rate especially if Albany does not come up with a legitimate financial package. Do the lawmakers up there still think this is just the MTA portraying the boy who cried wolf? The facts are out in the open & it is clear that this is a serious crisis which needs a fix now. If Albany fails to act, the repercussions will be felt by millions for years to come.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Merchants Complain About Bleecker St. Project

Posted by
on April 15th, 2009 at 1:19 am

For almost 3 years, I spent many a night transferring between the 6 Train train & D Train, F Train, or V Train & vice-versa at the Bleecker St – Broadway/Lafayette station. These trips were mainly for the many amazing nights I spent watching friends perform in & around the Lower East Side or just hanging out on a rare non-show night. While heading downtown & transferring was a breeze, the trip back was the exact opposite. Many times, I just exited the station & re-entered due to having an unlimited MetroCard. Other times, I just hopped the train down to the Brooklyn Bridge & rode it back uptown. Either way, I would always wish that I could have been able to transfer to the uptown 6 Train without hassle.

Thankfully my prayers & I am sure many others were answered when the MTA finally started work on connecting the uptown 6 Train train to the D Train, F Train, or V Train. However for as useful as this major construction project is, leave it to some to complain. As is to be expected, the main complaints come from merchants who are frustrated at a decline in business due to the construction. Rich Shapiro of the New York Daily News has more in this report:

As if times weren’t hard enough.

NoHo business owners are up in arms over a subway construction project that has transformed their sidewalk into a pit of mud and maze of fencing.

“It’s already bad with the economy, and now we have this,” said Jack Wu, owner of Adore Floral, looking at the mess along Lafayette St. between Houston and Bleecker.

“It’s definitely affected the walk-in traffic. … The timing couldn’t be any worse.”

Wu, along with other shop owners on the block, said business was struggling before the work crews and heavy machinery took over their strip last month.

Soon the sidewalk was gone. Workers installed fencing around a makeshift walkway, allowing pedestrians to enter only at the end of the block.

A cement truck blocks the walkway for several minutes every day and, merchants say, the earsplitting noise and swirling dust give people even more reason to stay away.

“It’s a lot of noise, a lot of dust – all day,” said Mia Kwon, manager of Save Khaki, a clothing store.

“With the economy the way it is, they couldn’t have picked a worse time. And this is just the beginning.”

Indeed, work on the $133 million project to connect the uptown 6 train platform at the Bleecker St. station with the B, D, F and V lines at Broadway-Lafayette is expected to continue on the east side of Lafayette until December.

NYC Transit spokesman James Anyansi said the agency has taken steps to limit impact, including posting signs in the subway making clear the shops remain open.

“We regret the inconvenience,” Anyansi said, “but this is work that has to be done.”

The store owners disagree.

Click here for the complete report.

I am sorry but the business owners are completely wrong here. While the construction might have led to a decline in business, they should have accounted for that happening at some point. When your business is in close proximity to a subway station, construction should be something you should expect & budget for in your business plan.

This might be an inconvenience to a few businesses but the amount of people it benefits is without question greater. Sometimes in life it boils down to what is good for most is more important than one person’s needs. I hope the businesses survive the construction & overall tough economic times. However with saying that, I can’t wait for this project to be done!

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