MetroCard Machines Go Cash-Only After Software Glitch: Officials

NEW YORK CITY — MetroCard machines across Brooklyn went cash-only during rush hour Thursday because of an MTA software glitch, officials announced.

The software problem caused MetroCard machines in Brooklyn and Staten Island to abruptly stop taking credit or debit cards, according to a PATH Train tweet posted Thursday morning.

“Due to a MTA software issue, credit/debit cards are not accepted in stations at this time,” said the tweet from PATH, which operates on the same ticketing system as the MTA.

“Please use cash for purchases.”

Straphangers reported broken MTA machines at Utica Avenue, Nevins Street, and Kingston-Throop Avenues stations in Brooklyn as well as the Eltingville Transit Center in Staten Island.

@MTA cool thing that all SIX metrocard machines at Utica are cash only!!
— laia. (@geometricsleep) November 16, 2017

i think i’ll try to use my debit card to buy a metrocard today, shouldn’t be a problem right pic.twitter.com/Mx1snHvCMP
— Rikki Schneiderman (@rikksareforkids) November 16, 2017

@NYCTSubway none of the metrocard dispensers are accepting cash or cards at Nevins street. Unacceptable and absurd.
— Jesse (@JesseJack) November 16, 2017

.@HeyNowJO All three metrocard machines are broken with this message at Eltingville Transit Center. People need to get to work, this is just wrong. @MTA @siadvance pic.twitter.com/ehLOwwvaUP
— John Madigan (@JMadigan715) November 16, 2017

PATH Train officials reported on Twitter that the problem was fixed shortly after 9 a.m.

The MTA did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

Photo courtesy of Lauren Ramsby/Patch