Is EasyPay XPress Really Giving Commuters an E-Z Pass?

Billy Parker

Published Jan 19, 2009

Modified Jan 19, 2009

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Billy Parker

Published Jan 19, 2009

Modified Jan 19, 2009

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Now in its fourth year, the MTA says that the EasyPay Xpress Metrocard is picking up steam as an option for commuters who prepay into an account because they don't want to wait at another out-of-service touchscreen machine when their card balance runs out. However, we're not so sure that the MTA has found a cash cow to help with their revenue woes. A spokesman tells today's Post that of the 15,000+ accounts signed up for in 2008, 11,451 of them initiated between March and December. But isn't that basically a consistent pace—maybe even a slowdown from the amount of people who signed up in January and February '08? Maybe the card would really catch on if the MTA took a suggestion lobbed at the program since the get-go—to make the option available for frequent subway and bus riders who use unlimited cards. For some reason, why unlimited ride cards aren't part of the "Easy Pay" program isn't even addressed on MTA's FAQ for the card. In the meantime, unlimited users will continue to suffer the indignity of "Turnstile Groin" as we swipe and wonder if today is our mysterious expiration date.

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easypay xpress

metrocard

MTA

turnstile groin

Billy Parker

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