In my May column, I dismissed the "much maligned Metrocard" as a dubious innovation that will never replace tokens for using New York's subways and buses. However, that pesky card just won't go away. As of July 4th, riders were tempted by a new gold Metrocard which boasts free transfers between subways and buses, a first from the Metropolotan Tranist Authority and a plan which city officials hope will win recalcitrant straphangers over to the new system. Be warned, however, that the cards still don't work very well. A recent piece in the New York Times was entitled "How to Master Metrocard? Practice." When? During rush hour? I don't think so! Still, tokens really may be phased out eventually, so I'll keep you posted.

Update, September, 1998: Save a few of those about-to-be-extinct NYC subway tokens as Fin du Siecle souvenirs. The Metrocard is here to stay. There are now electronic "readers" at almost every station, and all buses are equipped to accept the cards as well. What convinced commuters to make the switch? Free rides! I am absolutely serious. You can buy an unlimited card for $63 that lasts a month. For those of us who make two or more trips a day, that's a whopping bargain, given the $1.50 pay-per-ride rate. There are also weekly cards that save money for people who are here for less than a month or don't ride every day. So, yes, even I now have a Metrocard. However, there are many times when the "Swipe Again" sign lights up over and over while my train arrives and then departs without me. I'm not overjoyed, but I'm hoping the folks at the MTA will eventually solve this problem!