Is the MTA double charging for transfers onto the Q17 bus? Sometimes yes, according to Peggie Henderson, a daily MTA commuter.

Henderson and another woman who chose not to be identified were double charged after transferring onto the Q17 from its on Main Street stop near the 7 subway train during their morning commute two weeks ago. Both women say they transferred from other routes within the allotted time period of two hours since the initial charge. The bus driver acknowledged that the charges were made, but said there was nothing he could do about it. He referred the women to MTA's hotline.

Both women complained that the double charging is a recurring problem. Henderson said she had contacted the MTA in the end of August to recover some of her cash. They eventually responded saying they saw no problem with her card, and the MTA would not be refunding her money. She continues to commute every work day from the Bronx, taking the BX21, to the Q44, and eventually transferring to the Q17.

When the Queens Tribune contacted the MTA's hotline number (212) 638-7622 to inquire about the double charging, a customer service agent graciously agreed to look into the charges - with the card's serial number located on back - but wouldn't do it on the spot, and said there would be a backlog of several weeks before the MTA could respond. Henderson had a similar exchange when she called herself.

Asked what else a commuter could do if they're double charged, the agent who identified herself as Ms. Conway explained that a bus driver does not have the apparatus to check a card, but a "teller," or station agent inside a subway stop does. She professed that the agents can be "a little moody," and recommended that a straphanger encountering one should look for another teller.

A spokeswoman for the MTA NYC Transit said she could not say if there had been a number of complaints about transfers onto the Q17. She also said that a rider confronting a "moody," station agent can take a badge and or booth number, and report them to Customer Service. She did not say what steps the MTA has taken on a training level to encourage consistently helpful and courteous service.

A helpful station agent should give a customer who believes a charge was made erroneously a Business Reply Envelope to be stuffed with their card and sent to customer service.

Reach Reporter Lori Gross at lgross@queenstribune.com, or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 124.