Community Corner

Martins Introduces Bill to Repeal LIRR Refund Fee

Legislation would end practice of charging more for refund than value of ticket.

Following reports of a woman from New Hyde Park being charged more for refunding a Long Island Rail Road fare than the ticket was worth, State , R-Mineola, has introduced legislation to repeal the practice.

On Jan. 12, Susan McClellan used the LIRR to avoid hazardous roads because of the snowfall. She had bout two tickets but used only one because a friend drove her home that night.

When McClellan tried to get a refund from the MTA, she found a policy that calls for for returning unused Long Island Railroad tickets, more than her original $7.25 fare, in essence costing her $2.75 to return the ticket.

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“I am appalled that there is a processing fee to return a ticket,” Martins said in a press release. “Customers who purchase a ticket but don’t use the service should be able to get a refund on their money.”

The MTA Board adopted the new refund policy calling for the higher refund on Dec. 30, 2010. The policy also voids unused one-way and round-trip tickets after two weeks from the purchase date. For a full refund, any unused tickets must be returned within 30 days of the purchase date.

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Martins’ bill (S.3778) would force the MTA to issue a full reimbursement for unused tickets and gives the purchaser six months from the date of the purchase to return the unused ticket.

“Customers have had to deal fare increases and service cuts,” Martins said. “To put in a processing fee just to return a ticket is arrogant at best. This legislation repeals the processing fee, which should never have been instituted.”

The bill has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

Phone calls to the LIRR were not immediately returned.


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