This article was first published in June 1997. It is from the fifth issue of the thirteenth volume of The Classic. This article was chosen as Harrisites have received a transportation upgrade with the new OMNY card this school year.
MetroCards replace former Transportation passes
Transportation passes will be replaced by MetroCards in early July, as the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) switches over all New York City schools to the new system beginning with all students in summer school. The MetroCard program will give every student three rides which consist of one transfer each from a bus to the subway, the subway to the bus or one bus to another. A pilot for the program was implemented at Townsend Harris in May for all students who had passes for public buses.
In September, all illegible members of the student body will receive the new student MetroCards. According to transportation supervisor Tina Teutonico, the rides on the cards are not transferable from one day to the next, and after the third ride, if a student attempts to use it, the card will register as invalid. The cards will no longer be distributed every month, but bi-annually at the start of each semester. students must be careful to protect their cards from damage that would render them useless, and any student who loses it must report it to Mrs. Teutonico so that it can be invalidated. The card will be re-issued, although Mrs. Teutonico said it could take weeks.
Insert instances, if students require more than one extra ride, they may ask for a four ride MetroCard. If the principal views it as a necessity, he may request that the MTA grant the student the fourth ride.
According to senior Jose Melendez, who has been meeting with the MTA to discuss the implementation of the MetroCards, “ this is inevitable and something we’ll have to deal with. The MTA is being reasonable.” He added that by September, all students traveling on any bus line or train will have a MetroCard.
There are mixed feelings among Harrisites about the new metro cards. Freshman Kristy Von Ohlen says, “I don’t think it’s fair to put the students in a situation where they will have to decide if the pass will accommodate getting off the bus to go to the library and going to a track meet on the same day.” Junior Maria Triolo didn’t foresee any problems with the new system. “ I don’t see any difference in using MetroCard instead of passes,” she said. “If each ride has a transfer, that’s enough for one day. How many buses do kids take?” Assistant principal of mathematics Harry Rattien said, “It’s a good idea and it should work well, but whenever something of this magnitude is started, I’m leary of glitches in the system.” He added that “The MetroCard should help students who need to get on buses and trains due to other school responsibilities and events to do so hassle-free.”
“If there is additional information or more changes, students will be advised of them,” said Mrs. Teutonico.
