I just got my reduced fare Metrocard last month. I went to the walk in office with my application already filled out. I had my picture taken and was out of there with a card within the hour (but there was no line when I entered - there was quite a line when we left). The card I was given had to have $$ put on it at a machine or window clerk, and the prepaid card (automatically refilled via my credit card) was mailed to me (I got it within 2 weeks). For me, it was a "painless" experience, and we got to see lower Manhattan, which we had not visited before.

We also get "half price" tickets from NJ Transit trains into NYC with no restrictions. We frequently take the train in from Dover NJ to Penn Station NYC for $11 round trip. With the reduced price theatre tickets from TDF, a day in the city can be had for not that much $$.



DD