Q&A
Issues with OmniCard shortages and replacement processes
1:57:23
·
124 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph raises concerns about OmniCard shortages and replacement processes. John Benson explains the current procedures and addresses reported issues.
- Schools receive an initial allotment of OmniCards based on previous year's data, plus 25% extra
- If schools need additional cards, they can request expedited shipment or pick up directly from the DOE office in Queens
- Replacement for lost or stolen cards should be handled through the school's transportation coordinator
- The reported 2-week replacement time is disputed by John Benson, who states the process should take 1-2 days
- Issues with card transfers for students changing schools are addressed, with Benson stating that cards should carry over to new schools
Rita Joseph
1:57:23
I'm also getting reports that some schools don't have enough.
1:57:26
I have a school where the students received the letters, you know, the 10 day letters.
1:57:30
And at one point, MTA say they're not They're not honoring those letters.
1:57:34
My my biggest thing for me and anyone who knows how I've heard that fight for young people that is about criminalizing them.
1:57:40
Right?
1:57:40
Let's say they go through the turnstile with that letter and they get in trouble with NYPD.
1:57:45
What does that look like?
John Benson
1:57:47
So just going back to the shortages at the school.
1:57:49
So what we did leading up to the school year, there's data that we have taken from every school across the city, non public charter in public schools that reflects their metro card need that they have in their system.
1:57:59
We ship that amount plus 25%.
1:58:02
For the schools that didn't do the data entry, we we made some assumptions and sent them an initial allotment.
1:58:07
I think the challenge becomes when school opens, there's over the counter enrollment that leads to a need beyond what we've sent.
1:58:13
So school, in that case, enters the additional data, and what happens then is we can expedite a new shipment, or they can pick up directly from us at our office in Queens.
Rita Joseph
1:58:21
How long does it take for schools what's the turnaround time for schools to get metrocars if they're short?
John Benson
1:58:26
So if it's a delivery, it comes via a courier.
1:58:30
The turnaround time is less than a week.
1:58:32
If that's too long, they can come pick them up.
1:58:34
We also hand deliver them on occasion.
1:58:36
So And if
Rita Joseph
1:58:37
a child loses their OmniCard, what's the what's the replacement look like?
John Benson
1:58:42
They speak to the school and they get a replacement.
Rita Joseph
1:58:44
How long?
John Benson
1:58:46
Assuming the school has done the data entry
Rita Joseph
1:58:49
I I was told 2 weeks.
John Benson
1:58:50
That's not correct.
Rita Joseph
1:58:51
That's not correct.
John Benson
1:58:52
That's not correct.
Rita Joseph
1:58:53
So maybe you need to reach out to the principals and let them know that because I know the turnaround time was 2 weeks.
John Benson
1:58:57
We would any any school where that message is going out, we need to know about those schools.
1:59:01
We will get them cards much shorter than 2 weeks.
1:59:04
I just
Rita Joseph
1:59:04
And what about students that are transferring?
1:59:05
Because I had a student who transferred from one school to the other Metro OmniCard did not follow that student?
John Benson
1:59:11
That shouldn't be the case.
Rita Joseph
1:59:12
And that was the case.
John Benson
1:59:14
I I would need to know who that student is and look into it because the card it's an omni card that works at any turnstile.
1:59:20
So if the student transfers, it it should carry over.
1:59:24
If not, we will make sure we'll follow-up with the new school so this student gets a card.
