Tech Glitch Hits December Mail and Ride Cards

Commuter train riders who have their monthly unlimited MetroCards and rail passes mailed to them did not have their cards reloaded for Monday morning’s commute.

For the rest of Monday, riders on Metro North and the LIRR who switch to subways and MTA buses should show their Mail & Ride ticket to subway agents or bus drivers. The MTA said in a statement that Mail & Ride customers should purchase a monthly unlimited card from vending machines on Tuesday, and will be issued a credit for the expense and any surcharges.

MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said the glitch affected about 7,100 LIRR riders and 2,800 Metro North riders on Monday.

Donovan said the LIRR keeps 100 monthly unlimited cards on hand a month in case of techinical issues, and usually issue “less than 10 each month.” The reserve ran out on Monday, Donovan said.