Introduction
The MetroCard is the MTA’s substitute for subway and bus tickets/tokens. This is an easy-to-manage swipeable card that can be easily read by a subway turnstile card reader or any farebox. If someone uses MetroCard often, they must know the refund policies if the MetroCard is damaged, stolen, or expired. Let us know more about Metrocard refunds,the way to request refund in person and how to apply for a Metrocard refunds for any stolen card in this article.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) provides some security policies and opportunities for a refund option on a MetroCard. However, the refund option depends on only certain types of MetroCards and under specific circumstances. For example, a MetroCard refund can only be possible if the card is stolen, lost, or expired.
How to apply for a Metrocard refunds for any stolen card?
MTA provinces a Balance Protection Program, which offers safeguards against stealing. This program covers varied 7-Day Express Bus Plus MetroCard and a 30-Day Unlimited Ride card. The below steps describes the process to apply for an online MetroCard refund request:
- First, visit the MTA website
- Scroll down and reach the Common Actions province
- Now, press the option ‘File a MetroCard Claim.’
- Scroll down to search for a menu named File a Claim Online
- Get the Balance Protection Claim link in the menu and click on it.
- Go to the part with three checkboxes when the form unlocks
- Check the box and go to the 1st section, which is called Customer Information
- Enter your name, address, email, and contact number
- After that, click on the Verify Address option
- Visit the next section named Incident Description after an address verification is over.
- Fill out the date and time when the MetroCard was stolen
- Choose the Stolen option
- Choose the card’s type from the drop-down menu
- Now type the MetroCard serial number
- Select the type of payment method that had been used at the time of purchasing the ticket
- Enter the last 04 digits of the MetroCard
- You can add a comment, but make sure not to put any personal information
- Enter the given CAPTCHA code and click on the Confirm button
Are you getting a MetroCard refunds for a lost card?
The lost MetroCard also comes under the Balance Protection Program Act; in this case, the best option to request a refund is to apply for an online form. Below is the process described:
- Visit the MTA Customer Self Service page
- After that, go to the MetroCard section
- Press the prefix option
- Select the Balance Protection Claim option in the menu
- To verify Wheather you have a right to get a refund, check the requirement checkboxes.
- Now, enter your personal and contact details in the Customer Information section
- Click on the Verify Address section
- Type the time and date when the was the MetroCard lost in the Incident Description area
- Select lost as a response to the question ‘Is Card’
- Select the card’s type
- Now type the MetroCard serial number
- Select the sort of payment process that had been operated at the time of purchasing the card
- Enter the last 04 digits of the MetroCard
- Add a comment if you like, and finally, submit the form
Request for an NYC MetroCard Refund in case the card expires
If the MetroCard expires, it is eligible for a refund case if it is a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard. After the expiry date, two years will be provided to transfer the remaining money to a new card.
You can also request a refund for an expired MetroCard by mailing a questionnaire to the MTA.
The questionnaire can easily be found at any subway station or on buses, and it reaches pre-packed in a postage-paid, pre-addressed envelope. The questionnaire can be downloaded from MTA’s website as well; after filling out the questionnaire, send it to:
- MetroCard Customer Claims130,
- Livingston StreetBrooklyn,
- NY 11201-9625.
Request a refund in person
Another alternative is to ask for a refund in person. For this, the claimant needs to visit the MetroCard Customer Service Center. The location is:
- 3 Stone Street in Lower Manhattan, between Broadway and Broad Street.
Use DoNotPay
DoNotPay is the most rapid method to acquire any refund, including a refund for MetroCard.
Mail a refund request with this app within minutes, following these steps:
- Open DoNotPay through any web browser
- Click on the Chargeback Instantly section
- Deliver the chatbot with proper bank details
- Type in MTA in the merchant’s name section
DoNotPay will complete a refund request letter and dispatch it directly to the bank. The app will also contact MTA for your refund request.
Conclusion
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit designs a Balance Protection Program for a 30-Day Unlimited Ride MetroCard and a 7-Day Express Bus Plus. Its objective is to protect the consumers from theft, loss, or expiry of the card as long as they refilled it or purchased it with a credit or debit card or with an ATM card, and the purchase should be conducted from a MetroCard Vending Machine as well. It is also notable that the cards purchased with cash are not taken as protected and are non-refundable.
FAQs
- On which number shall I call for a refund?
Ans. You can call on 511 for the protection system for your metro card.
- What is the eligibility for the MetroCard protection program?
Ans. The MetroCard protection program eligibility must be purchased using a debit card, credit card, or an ATM card from a MetroCard vending machine.
- How can I apply for a stollen MetroCard refund?
Ans. The details have been provided below.
