Question on transfer from Bus to Subway (New York, York: transfer to, cost)

[Zamees]

Might be best answered by bus operators. I have a MTA card which has a dollar amount on it. If I swipe this on a bus, do you have the option to print out a transfer, or is my only option to use my same metro card to transfer?


Background:
I got on the Q70 at LGA, and patron behind me asked bus driver where to put money on his card. Driver asked where he was going as he was just going to give him a free ride. Person responded that he needed to wait for the m60. Driver asked if he had coins, and person said only a $5 bill, bus driver responded, then you are "screwed". He then presses a button which prints out a ride ticket, gives it to the person and says "Welcome to New York". I jokingly say to the person next to me, I hope that wasn't my transfer.

Sure enough, when I get to the subway station 15 minutes later, swiping my card charges me another $2.50. I suppose it's possible I swiped away my transfer accidentally, as the only other possibility here. But more likely, the bus driver just figured I wouldn't notice I didn't get a transfer, as I doubt they have the ability to randomly "print" free rides.

[5-all]

Paper transfers are given to bus riders who pay cash. They can only be used to transfer to another bus.
You can't get in the subway with those.
Pay per ride Metrocards give riders 2 hours from their initial swipe to transfer to any bus or subway.

[Zamees]

Originally Posted by Vall

Paper transfers are given to bus riders who pay cash. They can only be used to transfer to another bus.
You can't get in the subway with those.
Pay per ride Metrocards give riders 2 hours from their initial swipe to transfer to any bus or subway.

Can this paper transfer be printed if I swipe my card that has cash value on it (not unlimited)? Does the bus driver have an option to print a "free" ride at will?

[bellakin123]

I've seen bus drivers give transfers. Sometimes people forget to ask for one and go back to the driver after they paid the fare in cash. Some drivers give people a hard time about it and some just do it without saying anything. So, yes, they can print a transfer but whether they choose to or not is another question.

If you're using a metrocard, it will automatically give you the transfer so most likely the bus driver will not print you a paper transfer.

Edit--It has happened to me MANY times where I use my metrocard on the bus and when I transfer to the subway it takes another fare instead of the transfer. It's happened maybe once or twice when I used it on the subway first and then transferred to the bus. The printing out the paper transfer should not have affected your card because the transfers go on the metrocard automatically when the fare is paid in full (or reduced amount). If you use your metrocard for partial payment you do not automatically get a transfer--did you use your metro card for full payment or partial?

[Kefir King]

Zamees,

Plain and simple, you got screwed out $2.50: it happens.
I have just learned to stop getting apoplectic about it and apportion it out as an added cost pro-rated over times I am properly charged.
If it is of any comfort to you, I am seeing it happen fewer and fewer times lately. Perhaps the MTA hired a few service people who actually understand how the machines are supposed to work.

Pay per ride Metrocards give riders 2 hours from their initial swipe to
transfer to any bus or subway.

Keep it under your hat, but you get at least 2 hours and 18 minutes...shhh.