The MetroCard van will be back in Queens to provide accessible transportation for the disabled and senior members of the community on Wednesday, June 30.
The van will be at the Howard Beach Senior Center at 156-45 84th Street from 10 a.m. to noon. It will also park outside St. Margaret’s Golden Age Club at 66-16 80th Street in Middle Village from 1 to 3 p.m.
Sponsored by New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, the MetroCard van is part of a New York City Transit mobile outreach program. The specially-equipped vehicle is designed to help disabled individuals and residents over 65 years old apply for Reduced Fare MetroCards.
To apply, at least two forms of identification are required. Seniors may bring a Medicare card, Social Security card, birth certificate, driver’s license, or non-driver’s license. Disabled passengers must have their applications completed by a physician, acknowledging their disability.
The MetroCard Mobile Sales staff will also help seniors purchase and refill MetroCards, report lost or stolen cards, or have a damaged MetroCard replaced. A photographer will be available to complete the applications on-site.
The MetroCard van last serviced Middle Village residents at St. Margaret’s Golden Age Club on March 31, and, by their estimates, registered 15 to 25 people for new MetroCards.
Middle Village is served by the “M” train of the New York City Subway and four bus lines, Q29, Q38, Q54, and Q45.
An even bigger turn-out of 30 to 50 customers is expected at the Howard Beach Senior Center at the southern end of the district. “The Howard Beach seniors really take advantage” said Judy Close, press secretary for Senator Addabbo. The Howard Beach subway station is located in Coleman Square and is served by the “A” train.
Future van visits in Addabbo’s district are scheduled for September and December 29, the last Wednesday of both months, at the Howard Beach Senior Center and on the NE Corner of Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven.
During his first year as a senator in 2009, Addabbo had the MetroCard van visit District 15 four times.
