MetroCard Machines To Undergo Software Upgrade
Earlier today, the MTA announced that its MetroCard Vending Machines will be undergoing a software upgrade this upcoming Saturday. During this time, riders will not be able to make any purchases using credit or debit cards. Here are more details courtesy of the release I received:
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is performing a major upgrade to software responsible for credit and debit card transactions on MetroCard Vending Machines during the very early morning hours Saturday, Feb. 10, between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. The overnight timing of the upgrade was chosen for when ridership is at its lowest and minimizes impact on the vast majority of New York City Transit customers. All machines will be accepting credit and debit cards again beginning at 6.am. on Saturday, Feb. 10. This upgrade impacts all MetroCard Vending Machines, in subway stations, PATH stations, the JFK AirTrain system and at LaGuardia Airport.
New York City Transit is also launching an aggressive public outreach campaign that includes station signs, notices on the machines’ screens, systemwide announcements, social media messages and direct e-mail and text alerts to customers. Customers may sign up for alerts at www.MyMTAalerts.com.
New York City Transit Subway staff in stations will help any customers with information during the system update. Customers without cash will be accommodated by station personnel during the upgrade if necessary as well. Staff will also be available with information for people who call 511 or use the “information” button on any Help Point kiosk. As always, social media staff will respond 24/7 to any customer concerns on Twitter at @NYCTSubway.
“After hearing clearly from our customers that they needed more information regarding this upgrade, we reassessed the entire process,” said MTA Managing Director Veronique Hakim. “We are aggressively communicating with customers about this upgrade to ensure that we avoid confusion, and limiting the disruption to only the very early morning hours Saturday.”
The upgrade is being performed centrally on mainframe computers, and is being done to further improve the reliability and security of credit and debit card transactions on all MetroCard Vending Machines, which collectively process approximately 800,000 transactions per day. Cash transactions are unaffected during the upgrade.
The MTA is currently working with the Cubic Corporation to develop a modern, world-class replacement for the MetroCard system. Over the next several years, a new system will be phased in which will allow customers to pay for rides using their own smartphones and state of the art cards linked directly to payment accounts. Fare payment cards purchased with cash will always remain available. For more information about the next-generation replacement to the MetroCard, see here.
Customers currently seeking to use credit, debit or bank accounts to automatically pay for rides without needing MetroCard Vending Machines may sign up for an EasyPayXPress card, at http://web.mta.info/metrocard/EasyPayXpress.htm.
Make sure to let everyone you know about this as I know many riders use cards at the machines, especially after a night out on the town in & around NYC before heading back home.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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