One of the more amusing articles from the Wall Street Journal's new "Greater New York" section is the one about Metrocard swiping. The launching point is how two Chinese mathematicians were arrested after they tried to enter a Queens subway station by "doubling up" (when two people enter on one swipe) because one of the men swiped his Metrocard so many times, got the "Please Swipe Again At This Turnstile" error and could not pass through the turnstile. But, really, we were just reminded of the phrase, "Metrotard," coined by The Morning News circa 2003: "A person in front of you at the subway turnstile who can’t figure out how to swipe his or her subway pass. Also: A person who tries to use a Metrocard to withdraw money from an ATM."
The WSJ spoke to Pete Foley, a TWU Local 100 official who used to be an "revenue equipment maintenance" type with the MTA, and found: "For starters, your MetroCard must hit four sensors before you gain admission to the twilight world of the New York City subway system. The first sensor verifies that you're indeed swiping a MetroCard rather than, say, your D'Agostino's Rewards card. The second ascertains that the card is flush enough to afford the fare; the third deducts the fare; and the fourth opens the gate." (Hey, now, there's a D'Agostino's reference, though we think a Duane Reade rewards mention would have broader, though maybe less upscale appeal.) Foley said "If the card doesn't go completely through the sensor, it's not going to work. It's got to be level."
Another problem is dirty sensors (they supposedly are cleaned a few times a day), but in the meantime, NYC Transit spokesman Paul Fleuranges helpfully says a swipe should be "steady" and swift, "like a punch to the gut." Five years ago, the Public Advocate's office found that one out of every four swipes failed (!)...and someday, we may be getting Smartcards.
