MTA grants lost-card exception to rider with autism

<p>A young Bergen Beach man with autism misplaced his MetroCard and had it suspended -- then the MTA denied him a replacement before authorities granted him a special exception.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Jun 4, 2018, 9:08 PM

Updated 2,158 days ago

Share:

A young Bergen Beach man with autism misplaced his MetroCard and had it suspended -- then the MTA denied him a replacement before authorities granted him a special exception.
Gabriel Vered, 22, used a special Access-A-Ride MetroCard until he lost it a few weeks ago.
"It allows four free trips on subway or bus per day," says his father, Amos Vered.
That's perfect for a young man with autism who doesn't understand how to use money, the older Vered says.
Unfortunately, his son had a habit of losing the special cards. So much so that Vered is well-versed in how to replace them.
It takes a $10 money order, the rider's ID number and 21 to 30 days before the replacement comes.
But because the younger Vered had lost his card three times already, the MTA sent the family a letter informing them his eligibility had been suspended for 120 days. He could re-apply on Sept. 15.
Then officials caught wind of the case and granted an exception.
"The suspension rule exists in order to protect all of our customers by preventing potential fraud," the MTA said in a statement. "But this is clearly a special case, so we're issuing a new card for Gabriel so that our services remain accessible to him."


More from News 12
2:00
FDNY: Dozens homeless after 5-alarm fire destroys Bushwick supermarket

FDNY: Dozens homeless after 5-alarm fire destroys Bushwick supermarket

1:37
Summerlike weather returns to NYC with temps in the 80s; cooler weather for the weekend

Summerlike weather returns to NYC with temps in the 80s; cooler weather for the weekend

2:03
New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

New exhibit at Brooklyn Museum unveils new photos taken by Beatles' Paul McCartney

0:32
NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

NYPD: Suspect driver wanted for assaulting 59-year-old man in Williamsburg

0:23
Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

Police: 2-car Prospect-Lefferts Gardens crash leaves person hospitalized

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:27
Kingsboro Psychiatric Center workers demand their bosses get fired due to bullying, nepotism

Kingsboro Psychiatric Center workers demand their bosses get fired due to bullying, nepotism

2:46
SBU officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

SBU officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

1:51
RFK announces he has enough signatures to appear on NY ballot

RFK announces he has enough signatures to appear on NY ballot

1:46
Tenants weigh in on possible rent hikes for rent-stabilized homes

Tenants weigh in on possible rent hikes for rent-stabilized homes

1:38
Parks Department held community input meetings over new construction of skate parks

Parks Department held community input meetings over new construction of skate parks

1:27
Power restored in Manhattan Beach following 18-wheeler truck crash

Power restored in Manhattan Beach following 18-wheeler truck crash

0:34
FBI arrests Brooklyn man in Mount Vernon robbery, homicide

FBI arrests Brooklyn man in Mount Vernon robbery, homicide

1:53
Elected officials call on mayor to bring Staten Island ferry back to former Bay Ridge Pier

Elected officials call on mayor to bring Staten Island ferry back to former Bay Ridge Pier

0:31
Authorities arrest 31-year-old man in connection to fatal Williamsburg crash

Authorities arrest 31-year-old man in connection to fatal Williamsburg crash

2:19
Rent hikes may be coming for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments

Rent hikes may be coming for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments

1:54
Funeral held for DJ Mister Cee in Downtown Brooklyn

Funeral held for DJ Mister Cee in Downtown Brooklyn

1:48
Mayor's administration awards $12.3 million emergency contract to run migrant shelter in Brooklyn

Mayor's administration awards $12.3 million emergency contract to run migrant shelter in Brooklyn

1:51
Brooklyn animal shelter hopes to find pets forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Brooklyn animal shelter hopes to find pets forever homes on National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day