The glitch, which affects both LIRR and Metro-North ticket machine sales of train tickets and MetroCards, allows users to purchase tickets with their debit cards even if they do not have enough money in their account – the account was not charged at all.

The bug has existed since 2001, and about 1,000 riders have innocently benefited – most of them probably never realizing their accounts were not charged.

However, the bug was discovered by a couple from Roosevelt, NY, who exploited the LIRR machines systematically, buying over $880,000 in tickets for resale. The couple has been arrested and the software glitch repaired.

The glitch was discovered by MTA during software testing in which a technician used test cards from banks.

Its too bad this bug got exploited, because I think its great that in the last 7 years, about 1,000 people trying to get to work, and who have no money in their bank account, got free tickets.

I like to picture some 20-something, hung-over and late for the train, on a hot July morning getting off her bike and scrambling to the platform, useless debit card in hand, praying that she can get just get to work *today*. And then bing – a gift from the gods. Awesome.

Via New York Times

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Metro-North, LIRR Ticket Machines Cough Up Nearly $1 Million in Free Tickets

Whats more, in 1994 he was arrested for (admittedly) striking a fellow female passenger in the head – surely that got him convicted? Nope.

He has been arrested of throwing coffee, cursing, slapping cellphones out of commuters hands, and hoarding entire rows of seats for himself. Basically, this guy is your worst commuting nightmare ever.

One victim described him as “the loudest person on the same train that he’s trying to make quiet,”

Apparently, in his latest appearance, the judge ruled his behavior ‘inappropriate but not illegal’.

Seriously, if a teenager punched a woman in the head on the LIRR, and spent his commutes calling people ‘f***ing faggots’ and slapping cellphones out of their hands, he would be on Riker’s Island right now.

But apparently, if you are a 60-year-old white ex-NYPD, you can be arrested 8 times and everything is still all cool.

One of these days, his shenanigans are going to get even farther out of hand and someone is going to get seriously hurt.

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Above The Law – Ex-Cop, LIRR Harasser Gets Off Again

An LIRR commuter train derailed at Jamaica Station in Jamaica, Queens, after striking another train this morning at 10AM, suspending Eastbound service until 10:56 AM.

The 9:35AM from Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn due in Hempstead left the tracks after hitting the 9:34 from Penn Station to Huntington.

There were 150 people on each train. LIRR Spokeswoman Susan McGowan said there were no injuries, but some sources are reporting that there were some minor injuries.

NYFD spokesman Chris Villarroel said it was a “minor low impact collision” between two LIRR trains.

Riders reported the ride getting ‘very bumpy’ and some smoke appearing from under the train. At 6PM tonight repairs are still being made to the tracks and especially a switch which Channel 2 reports is under suspicion in the accident.

Trains on the LIRR were canceled, combined and delayed throughout the day.

Channel 2 and 1010 Wins reports that Penn Station isn’t all that out of joint tonight, everyone seems to be taking it in stride, with most delays under 30 minutes.

Comically, a Channel 2 Anchor introduced the live report tonight with ‘It’s a NIGHTMARE for THOUSANDS of commuters tonight…’, only to have the live report and the passengers interviewed be totally casual and downplay the situation.

In related news a 61-year-old man was struck and killed by an LIRR train in Brentwood yesterday, early reports indicate it may have been a suicide.

MTA Service Alert:

”

Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:15 PMSystemwide LIRR Customers:
LIRR customers should anticipate eastbound delays of up to 30 minutes during this evening’s rush hour because of the earlier derailment at Jamaica Station.

St. Alban’s Station Customers:
Buses are replacing eastbound train service between Jamaica and St. Albans.

THE FOLLOWING TRAINS ARE CANCELED/COMBINED TODAY:

Babylon Branch Trains
The 4:12 PM from Penn Station to Massapequa Park has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated on the 4:21 PM train to Freeport with added stops to Massapequa Park.

The 4:34 PM from Penn Station to Babylon has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated on the 4:37 PM train to Wantagh with added stops to Babylon.

The 4:57 PM from Penn Station to Wantagh has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated on the 5:03 PM train to Freeport with added stops to Wantagh.

The 5:40 PM from Penn Station to Seaford has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated on the 5:47 PM train to Freeport with added stops to Seaford.

The 6:05 PM from Penn Station to Wantagh has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated on the 6:10 PM train to Freeport with added stops to Wantagh.

The 6:33 PM from Penn Station to Babylon has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated on the 6:36 PM train to Wantagh with added stops to Babylon.

Long Beach Branch
The 5:20 PM from Penn Station to Long Beach has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated on the 5:23 PM train to Long Beach.

The 5:40 PM from Flatbush Avenue to Long Beach has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated on the 5:45 PM train from Flatbush Avenue with a connection in Jamaica for service to Long Beach.

Far Rockaway Branch
The 4:31 PM from Flatbush Avenue to Far Rockaway has been canceled. The 4:34 PM train from Flatbush Avenue will accommodate customers with a connection in Jamaica for service to Far Rockaway.

Hempstead Branch
The 5:19 PM from Flatbush Avenue to Hempstead has been canceled. The 5:45 PM train to Babylon will accommodate customers with a connection in Jamaica to Hempstead.

Port Jefferson/Huntington Branch
The 5:29 PM from Flatbush Avenue to Huntington has been canceled. Customers will be accommodated on the 5:35 PM train from Flatbush Avenue with a transfer in Jamaica for service to Huntington.

“

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Train Derailment On LIRR: Trains Collide, One Derails, Switch Is Suspect