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That limit does not apply to prepaid MetroCards at the same station. What the OP is referring to is that one cannot clone an unlimited weekly or monthly card while having it be useful. They have a 18 min lock out. Using a prepaid card repeatedly will just drain the value of that card.

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That's unfortunate. There were definitely times when I lived in NYC (pre-Metrocard) when I took two rides within 18 minutes (take short ride, jump out of station for quick errand, come back in for next part of journey). Are you saying that would not be possible?

Nope, that's only for the same station. Assuming you swipe into station A, exit station B, and swipe again at station B, you're fine.

If you swipe into station A, realise you got into the wrong entrance, you can usually just walk to the 24-hour booth and ask them to let you in the gate.

Also you can walk to another station.

Thanks for clarifying.

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