A token clerk with five years' experience is paid about $30,000 a year.

He had worked part-time as a token clerk for two years.

The officials said another token clerk was apparently an accomplice.

I get off at the next stop - still not my station - and tell the token clerk what happened.

One day a month, token clerks are required to write down how many people enter the subway without paying.

No one came through the gate; it could only be opened electronically by the token clerk.

On one hand, he said, banking by phone makes his life easier, and how many token clerks are really interested in a conversation with him?

The token clerk suggested that I call the 800 customer service number printed on the card.

"Taking away token clerks, even for just a few hours, would make riders feel less secure."

But they said the token clerk, who was also called to the lineup, failed to make any identification.