Before COVID, token booth clerks could take cash purchases, transfer card values, and be of service helping straphangers. My mother got a new MTA Reduced-Fare MetroCard.
The expiring one has money in it, so I asked my token booth clerk to help. No luck. I could mail it in for a refund or visit a Mobile Sales Bus or Van. Where are they if they are mobile?
Decided to setup up an appointment online, and headed to 3 Stone Street, Downtown. The line was long, and the fact I had a reservation meant nothing. I waited nearly one hour from the line outside until the fund was transferred. Wasted my whole morning traveling there and back. It took less than 2 minutes before at a token booth.