What's happening
This bill requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to offer an online option for refilling Metrocards and bus passes.
Why it matters
Expands accessibility and convenience. By requiring an online refill option, this bill makes it easier for riders—including those with limited mobility, tight schedules, or who live far from vending machines—to manage their fare cards, potentially reducing lines and wait times at physical locations.
Promotes digital equity. The mandate could help close service gaps for tech-savvy users and support the growing expectation of digital services, while also pressuring the MTA to modernize its systems for a broader customer base.
Potentially improves operational efficiency. Enabling online refills may decrease the MTA’s reliance on physical infrastructure, reducing costs associated with maintaining and staffing vending machines, and possibly lowering fare evasion by making legitimate refills simpler.
Enhances resilience in emergencies. The online option would be especially valuable during events like pandemics or natural disasters, when in-person transactions are risky or impractical, ensuring continuous access to public transit.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Refill Metrocards Online
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
571
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. M. G. MILLER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring the metropolitan transportation authority to provide an online alternative to refilling metrocards and authority bus passes
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1266 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 19 to read as follows:
19. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authority shall establish and implement a way for a person to refill the balance on metrocards and authority bus passes online.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03107-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.