The Metrocard

This week's blog post is not really a foodie topic, but I thought it was a relevant topic to discuss. As it could be related to our foodie search. In all honesty, having lived in NYC, how many of us use the public transportation system to get to where we need to go, to find the great grub... Most of us, right?  Driving is not really a necessity in NYC as in other states, although it is a luxury here. So when I go on my foodie search, I mainly use the good old "Metrocard" and hop on the subway or bus, and sometimes the train too to get to where I need to go.

hahaha... So anyways, this is just a round about way of going into my topic of metrocards. For the longest time, I have had the question lingering in my head and I am sure I am not the only person with this question. So, I typed it in a google search and well, although I found a forum that gave some answer, the answers were not definitive... Hence forth I embarked on my own experimentation and found out the answers... So today I will share them with you.

What is the question you ask? Simple, "If I punch out a hole in my metrocard will I still be able to use it on the bus or train?" Haven't you ever wondered that question?

Now you ask me, Jenny, why would someone need to punch a hole in their metrocard? Good question. Well, if you know me, I am a type of person that like to link things together so as to not lose anything. And between you and me, I have misplaced and lost plenty of stuff when I don't do that. So yes, this to me is a necessity. hahaha... Back on topic, haven't you ever wanted an easy way to keep track of that metrocard of yours without it falling out of your pocket or misplacing it somewhere in your pocket or in my case misplacing it in my purse or bookbag. Well, having a hole in the card allows you to easily attach a "chain" or other "ornament" on it to easily keep track of the card and also, so you can clip it into place.  What do you mean, Jenny? Well, easier explained with photos. So look at the photo below of the chain that I attached to my metrocard.

Now that you know the purpose of the hole in the metrocard. The next important question is, will punching a hole affect the usage of the card? Isn't there already a hole in the card? what was that hole for? Good question, I just recently learned from a forum that the little hole at the lower middle of the card near the black strip was used for the subway turnstiles to recognize the card is being inserted the correct way. Well then, what the heck is the cut out corner at the right hand side for? I also just recently learned from the same forum that that cut out corner is cut out so that "visual impaired" persons can recognized the correct side of the card to insert into the turnstile and bus fare-box without the assistance of other people.  I guess those reasons make sense...

So now, getting back to my question about whether an extra hole in the card will affect the card's usability. I knew the hole at the top would not affect the subway turnstiles because when the metrocard is swiped into the machine only the bottom half of the card is inserted. But my main concern was if it had an affect on the bus fare-box as the whole card goes into the fare-box before it comes back out.  Well, after not getting any questions on line. I went ahead and punched a hole at the top left hand side of my monthly metrocard and gave it a try on the bus. And load and behold, it still works. I was so amazed. Had I known it does not affect the card at all, I would had punched a hole in it years ago.

Next question, does it matter where the hole is punched? Well, of course, don't punch it too close to the black strip but as to which side of the top of the card to punch. I am not sure. But if I could punch the hole again, I would rather have the hole be placed at the top right hand corner near the cut out corner or at the middle of the right hand side, just so it does not interfere with the mini hole that is already at the left hand side. I will do that with my next metrocard and see how it goes. (Disclaimer: I knew that even though I had punched a hole at the left hand corner and it did not work on the bus, I could had always transfer my data/money into another metrocard as I know it would definitely work on the subway even if there was a hole. So I wasn't worried at all when I made the hole prior to testing it on the bus).

So now, you know the answer. So if you really wanted to punch that extra hole.. go right ahead. But wait, Jenny? Why couldn't you just you the mini hole? Well guys... I could of, but it was so inconvenient to always take the card out of the chain every time I go on the subway since the mini hole was at the exact spot that goes into the turnstile swiper. So now, with the hole higher up, you can leave the metrocard on the chain without taking it off. But wait, what about on the bus? Well, the bus is a different story. If you need to use the bus and subway like I do, you will, like myself, have to take the metrocard off the chain every time you transfer to a bus from the train or if you just take the bus.  Very inconvenient but at least the metrocard stays safe and I don't have to worry about losing it on the street or misplacing it around the house.

Now you have it? Have any other questions? Feel free to contact me and ask.


Till next time, To good food and good health!

Your Foodie friend and local Dietitian/Nutritionist Jenny