Commuters Can Now Transfer Money Off 2-Year-Old Expired MetroCards, But Can't Get Two Free Transfers

Earlier this week, Gov. Cuomo signed a bill that allows commuters to transfer money off of MetroCards that have been expired for up to two years. 

Last year, the MTA made nearly $80 million off of unused pay-per-ride cards. The latest budget expects the agency to make nearly $78.5 million from unused fares. The MTA says the biggest contributing factor to the leftover fares is lost MetroCards, not the system's pay-per-ride bonus structure.

"We don’t expect it will have much of an impact on our expired MetroCard revenue.  Most trade-ins occur within three months of expiration," MTA spokesman Jon Weinstein said.

But the day contained a bit of bad news for commuters who rely on on multiple buses or subways to get around. The governor vetoed a bill that would've allowed riders to get a second free transfer on pay-per-ride MetroCards. The MTA said the measure would have cost the agency $40 million dollars a year.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who sponsored the bill, disagreed with the agency's math.

"This bill was something I wrote several years ago in response to a problem, a result of service cut backs in certain neighborhoods that essentially created two-fare zones," Dinowitz told WNYC. "In addition, a lot of people with disabilities who can't use particular subway stations...might have to take two buses to get to the station they need."

He said he'll introduce the bill again in 2018.

In a statement, Governor Cuomo said that instead of approving Dinowitz's legislation, he's instructed the MTA to make it easier for riders to avoid paying an additional fare during unplanned service disruptions.