There are definitely perks to being over 65, most notably the fact that things suddenly get cheaper. For instance, the subway. Once you hit the magic number you are entitled to a Reduced-Fare MetroCard from the MTA that even has a picture of you on the back! But those special cards carry with them some special problems, as well. Just ask Wilford Brimley look-a-like Bill Rapp, who the Daily News reports has of late become a septuagenarian scofflaw since the MTA hasn't acted fast enough for his liking.
Here's the problem: Rapp's reduced-fare MetroCard became defective in December, so he sent it back to the MTA for a new one (you can't just get a photo stamped on the back of any MetroCard, after all). But, because of a backlog of requests on the Authority's end, he still hasn't gotten it back. That means when he wants to take the train he needs to find a subway entrance with a token clerk in it, wait on line and finally show them his ID so as to get the reduced fare. And that can take awhile (and require quite a few stairs). So he's just started giving up and finding other ways onto the subway.
After recently sneaking through a Times Square emergency exit—which didn't seem to bother the nearby cops, meaning no shrieking old person getting cuffed video—the 71-year-old quipped to the News' Pete Donohue, "I can’t afford the full fare and I can’t afford a heart attack."
And so, while he waits for his reduced fare Metrocard, Rapp is now regularly breaking the law and keeping the MTA away from his much-needed cash. As for how long Rapp should expect to wait to see a new card and how many others are waiting for theirs? We've asked the MTA, but they are not releasing exact numbers. So awhile.
