How to Use MetroCard

How to Use MetroCard on the Subway

How to Use MetroCard on the Bus

 

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How to Use MetroCard on the Subway

With the MetroCard name facing toward you, quickly swipe your MetroCard through the turnstile in one smooth move. Walk through when the turnstile screen says "GO."

NYC Transit and Staten Island Railway (SIR) have 89 stations that are accessible via elevators or ramps.

If your card does not let you through right away and the turnstile screen says:

"Please swipe again"

You will not be charged another fare even if you swipe several more times or move to another turnstile.

"Swipe card again at this turnstile"

If you move to a different turnstile, you may be charged another fare with Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard or be prevented from entering the subway for 18 minutes with Unlimited Ride MetroCard.

"See Agent"

This message tells you there's probably something wrong with your card and that you should see the station agent.

 

How to Know How Much Time or Money is Left on Your MetroCard

At the MetroCard Reader

You can check how much money or time is left on your MetroCard whenever you like at a MetroCard Reader in any station. The reader also tells you the card's expiration date.

At the Turnstile

Every time you use Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard to pay your subway fare, the turnstile displays the amount you've paid and the balance. It will not show when an Unlimited Ride card runs out. You can find this information at the MetroCard Reader or the Booth Reader.

At the Station Booth

There's a MetroCard Reader at every station booth. Use it to check your purchase, or to see how much money or time is left on your MetroCard and your card's expiration date.

 

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How to Use MetroCard on the Bus

Before you get on the bus, hold the card with the black stripe on the right and the MetroCard name facing you. As you board the bus, hold the MetroCard with the black stripe on the right and the MetroCard name facing you. The farebox is directly in front of you as you board. "Dip" the MetroCard into the farebox - your fare will be automatically deducted, and then the MetroCard will pop back out.

After you've used the card, the farebox displays how much you just paid, how much money is left (on a Pay-Per-Ride card) or the date the card runs out (on an Unlimited Ride card), and the card's expiration date.

Remember: Transfers go into the farebox the same way as MetroCard except they do not pop back up to you. They stay in the farebox.

How to Know How Much Time or Money is Left on Your MetroCard

Every time you use MetroCard to pay your bus fare, the farebox displays the amount you've paid and how much money is left (on a Pay-Per-Ride card) or the date the card runs out (on an Unlimited Ride card), and the card's expiration date.

You can also check how much money or time is left on your MetroCard whenever you like at a MetroCard Reader or station booth in any subway station. The reader also tells you the card's expiration date.

There's a MetroCard Reader at every station booth. Use it to check your purchase, or to see how much money or time is left on your MetroCard and your card's expiration date.

 

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