Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)
Originally Posted by iahphx
Originally Posted by
cordelli
It can be used by a group, bur according to the port authority page on it:
Time-based MetroCards
The 10-Trip AirTrain JFK Only Usage MetroCard can be purchased at AirTrain JFK’s Howard Beach and Jamaica stations. Ticket vending machines and the NYC Pennsylvania Station’s ticket vending machines displaying the AirTrain logo. The 10-Trip Air Train JFK will expire 12 months (365 DAYS “ONLY”) after first usage. Every fourth usage, there is an 18-minute waiting period before next usage.
So if you have over four people, you need to wait 18 minutes after each group of four people.
Also note they are saying the expiration is now a year instead of six months.
From
http://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-cost-tickets.html
I'm sure that's because homeless type people were buying the cards, then offering to swipe people through for $3.50 or $4 each. They get a buck or two, the traveler saves a buck or two, everybody but the MTA wins.
Thanks. Of course, for one of my trips, I have 5 people.
But with a year expiration, if that time-thing is actually enforced, I guess I could just buy 2 cards. I'd probably use it up in time.
I think there was a posting in another thread about the fifth-rider lockout occurring on a 10-trip card. IIRC, the poster said that the AirTrain customer service representative was able to do something to let the fifth passenger in. So you might want to hold off on buying the second 10-trip card until you determine that you actually need it.
Of course, depending on where you are driving from, another option might be just to do a one-way car rental to JFK, and then ride the AirTrain for free from Federal Circle station.